BELIEF IN WITCHCRAFT.
QUEER AFRICAN CUSTOMS. Strange native customs in the Kasempa district of Northern Rhodesia (where the Zambesi rises) are described by Mr. Prank H. Melland, a local magistrate, in "In Witch-bound Africa," a work of fascinating interest and thorough' research. When a baby is born the father must not touch'his child for , about, a month until it "laughs an,d shows that it is "strong." The next day all in the village touch the baby and life resumes its normal course. .
At the next moon after twins, are borm their mother and the other women carry them around the village, dancing the while. They take with them a flat baskgt. Everyone they meet has to pujt a gift, such as tobacco, meal, and beads, in the basket. The meal and the beads are for the babies, the tobacco for the parents. ,
If a child cuts its upper incisors before its lower ones, it is thrown into the river. A child who does not walk at the proper time is also killed. The reason of this is that the child is supposed to bo waiting to walk.until all its relatives are ( dead. To save hurrying the death of s,o many people the child is drowned', TheTe'is no reprieve for this.
The bridegroom has to live, in the wife's village and is "never allowed to look his mother-in-law in the face." The wife's duties include ''dressing her husbands hair in tufts" ' also the washing, but this she can refuse to do "if busy' pounding grain." Grounds for divorce are numerous. For the man it is sufficient: "If his parents-in-law abuse him continually; if She does not cook food for his friends; if she does not make beer." From the women's side the knot can be untied for "failure to do his garden work," "failure to clothe her; beating." Blood brotherhood by which men pledge themselves to aid each'other is a common custom. To seal the bond "each of the contracting parties makes a slight incision 'in. the wrist or arm of the other and driiiks;a. drop of. the blood therefrom."' "', ,
Certain natives assert that they "ow;n)" tuyewera, or , fajnijiar' spirits. These are of about 3ft. high, with protruding bellies and with the body facing the wrong way in relation to the head and legs. They are invisible to all who have not certain medicine." This witchcraft brings great advantages, as the natives explain: "Just treat them nicely and .they'll go and steal for you; get you Vyour guns, dogs, food whatever you will; anc!' it's quite safe with them, you. will' never be found out." The , tuyewera,, it is said, are "kept out in the bush, and no one can see them. They visit their owner in his hut at night."
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Shannon News, 12 February 1924, Page 4
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460BELIEF IN WITCHCRAFT. Shannon News, 12 February 1924, Page 4
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