Travels Of Richard And John Lander Into The Interior Of Africa For The Discovery Of The Course And Termination Of The Niger By Robert Huish
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The Fetish Priests Of Brass Town, Chalked Themselves From
Head To Foot, Besides Dressing After A Fashion Of Their Own, But
These Fellows Outdo Them Far, And Make Themselves The Most Hideous
And Disgusting Objects Possible.
Whether it may be with the idea of personifying the evil spirit of
whom they are so afraid, Lander
Could not learn, but they go about
the town with a human skull fastened over their face, so that they
can see through the eye-holes; this is surmounted by a pair of
bullock's horns; their body is covered with net, made of stained
grass, and to complete the whole, and give them an appearance as
ridiculous behind as they are hideous before, a bullock's tail
protrudes through the dress, and hangs down to the ground, rendering
them altogether the most uncouth looking beings imaginable. Sometimes
a cocked hat is substituted for the horns, and the skull of a dog or
monkey used, which renders their appearance, if possible, still more
grotesque. Thus equipped, they are ready to perform the mysteries of
their profession, which Lander had not sufficient opportunity to
inquire into, but which are quite enough to enslave the minds of the
people. They seem to believe in a good and evil spirit; that the good
spirit dwells in the river, which accounts for their sacrifices being
made on it, and that the evil spirit dwells in a tree, which being
full of human skulls, keeps him away from them.
On the morning of the 26th, the duke's principal man came on board
the Portia to receive payment for some bullocks, which Mr. Becroft
had purchased.
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