The Father
Quietly Sent For A Neighbor, And, Though The Diviner Pretended To Remain
In His State Of Ecstasy, The Brisk Application Of Two Sticks To His Back
Suddenly Reduced Him To His Senses And A Most Undignified Flight.
The mother of this child seemed to have no confidence in European wisdom,
and, though I desired her to
Keep the child out of currents of wind,
she preferred to follow her own custom, and even got it cupped on the cheeks.
The consequence was that the child was soon in a dying state,
and the father wishing it to be baptized, I commended its soul to
the care and compassion of Him who said, "Of such is the kingdom of heaven."
The mother at once rushed away, and commenced that doleful wail
which is so affecting, as it indicates sorrow without hope.
She continued it without intermission until the child was buried.
In the evening her female companions used a small musical instrument,
which produced a kind of screeching sound, as an accompaniment
of the death wail.
In the construction of this instrument they make use of caoutchouc, which,
with a variety of other gums, is found in different parts of this country.
The intercourse which the natives have had with white men
does not seem to have much ameliorated their condition.
A great number of persons are reported to lose their lives annually
in different districts of Angola by the cruel superstitions
to which they are addicted, and the Portuguese authorities either
know nothing of them, or are unable to prevent their occurrence.
The natives are bound to secrecy by those who administer the ordeal,
which generally causes the death of the victim.
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