The People Under Him Are Divided Into A Number Of Classes.
There Are His Councilors, As The Highest, Who Are
Generally
head men of several villages, and the carriers, the lowest free men.
One class above the last obtains the
Privilege of wearing shoes
from the chief by paying for it; another, the soldiers or militia,
pay for the privilege of serving, the advantage being that
they are not afterward liable to be made carriers. They are also divided
into gentlemen and little gentlemen, and, though quite black,
speak of themselves as white men, and of the others, who may not wear shoes,
as "blacks". The men of all these classes trust to their wives for food,
and spend most of their time in drinking the palm-toddy. This toddy
is the juice of the palm-oil-tree (`Elaeis Guineensis'), which, when tapped,
yields a sweet, clear liquid, not at all intoxicating while fresh, but,
when allowed to stand till the afternoon, causes inebriation and many crimes.
This toddy, called malova, is the bane of the country. Culprits are
continually brought before the commandants for assaults committed
through its influence. Men come up with deep gashes on their heads;
and one, who had burned his father's house, I saw making a profound bow
to Mr. Canto, and volunteering to explain why he did the deed.
There is also a sort of fraternity of freemasons, named Empacasseiros,
into which no one is admitted unless he is an expert hunter,
and can shoot well with the gun. They are distinguished
by a fillet of buffalo hide around their heads, and are employed as messengers
in all cases requiring express. They are very trustworthy, and,
when on active service, form the best native troops the Portuguese possess.
The militia are of no value as soldiers, but cost the country nothing,
being supported by their wives. Their duties are chiefly
to guard the residences of commandants, and to act as police.
The chief recreations of the natives of Angola are marriages and funerals.
When a young woman is about to be married, she is placed in a hut alone
and anointed with various unguents, and many incantations are employed
in order to secure good fortune and fruitfulness. Here, as almost every where
in the south, the height of good fortune is to bear sons.
They often leave a husband altogether if they have daughters only.
In their dances, when any one may wish to deride another,
in the accompanying song a line is introduced, "So and so has no children,
and never will get any." She feels the insult so keenly
that it is not uncommon for her to rush away and commit suicide.
After some days the bride elect is taken to another hut,
and adorned with all the richest clothing and ornaments that the relatives
can either lend or borrow. She is then placed in a public situation,
saluted as a lady, and presents made by all her acquaintances are placed
around her.
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