THE DOCTRINE OF PREDESTINATION. 95 nates. The sores are usually dressed with caustic herbs, and are thereby made worse. Hxostosis is common, and its syphilitic origin recognised. The same is true of partial loss of pigment, especially on the hands, which is very common in Uganda. Syphilis is said to have been unknown in Uganda formerly, and to have first shown itself there in Kamrasi’s time. The disease then made its way to the east, and first appeared in the districts ruled by Rionga, whereas it was still unknown there in the time of his brother and predecessor, Kabadima. (It has followed the track of the Nubians!) Hxcessive development of the Labia pudendorwm sometimes occurs. In Uganda, by methodical stretching and tying, a considerable lengthening of the Labia minor is produced. Circumcision is not in vogue, except among the inhabitants of Londu, who came from the west.

Africa seems to be the original home of the doctrine of predestination. Faith begets superstition. If an owl screeches near the house, its master dies. If a hyzena or a jackal repeatedly approaches the house, misfortune is at hand; when the rhinoceros-bird croaks, rain may be looked for. If & wagtail sings on the threshold, guests or presents arrive. If a man kills wagtails in the house, fire breaks out in it. IRfa wagtail forsakes its nest made in the house, misfortune is near. Vultures and ravens are chiefs among the birds, and their slaughter causes illness. If vultures alight on the top of a poor man’s house, he will receive rich gifts and presents.

Skin of the otter (Lutra inunguis) worn on the body acts as an aphrodisiac. A piece of the hide of the white rhinoceros, worn on the body, makes a man invulnerable. Ifa woman is the first to enter the house in the morning, it is a good sign; if a man, the contrary. An eclipse of the sun announces the death of the ruler. If on moving from one house to another, anything is broken or a woman falls on the way, the family returns to the house it has just left. If, on starting for a campaign, a buffalo runs across the path, or a guinea-fowl flies up before the warriors, this portends the death of many men, and everyone turns back. The bat, which flies into the house, brings news. The Wanyéro spit three times whenever they see a ' shooting-star. |