1. 4. XXL THE NON-ARAB RACES OF DARFUR 103

El Tunisi also relates how, according to popular belief, the Fur

of the Temurka division and the Masalit had the power to trans-

mogrify themselves into animals, the former into lions and the latter

into hyaenas, cats and dogs. The Temurka, too, were said to come

to life again three days after death and leave their tombs and go to

other countries and there marry and live a second life. The Sultan had a band of these magicians under his orders and used them as

envoys: they were under a "king" who was called " Kartab." The

chief of the Temurka himself warned el Tunisi against attacking any

lions in their country "car tous ceux que vous verrez dans ces con-

trees sont de nos compagnons et amis metamorphoses^."

Popular behef, however, throughout Darfur still attributes to all

the Fur a power of metamorphosis, and the word nabdti there is

a common expression of abuse implying that the person to whom it

is addressed is in his second existence, that he had died, that is, and

instead of dwelling in Paradise, has come back to lead a second

existence upon earth^.

Of the political system in vogue in Darfur under the Sultanate, and the various ranks and privileges enjoyed at the court, el Tunisi

gives a full and generally trustworthy account, which need not be

retailed here. He saw little, however, of the out-districts and does

not describe their internal economy. Their organization at present

^ These "/zo7z"-Fur (Ar. "usudda," or Fur "murunga," sing. "muru"=:a lion)

are known at present as "ahl el 'awaid" ("the folk of the customs"), a respectful euphemism, and in the Temurka country, south-western Dar Abo Dfma, that is, they collect each year varying sums from the villagers, paid in consideration of the members of the guild, if it may be called so, engaging not to ravage their herds

in the form of lions. The Fur themselves do not admit that any of their number ever change into animals other than lions, and even the power to become lions is confined to particular families among the Temurka.

The only people in Darfur (excluding Masalit) who are believed at the present day to change into hyaenas are the Awlad Mana, who are debased Gawama'a

living among the Fur.

^ In this connection the remarks of Dr Felkin are worthy of notice {Notes on

the For Tribe, 1884-1885), but it must be remembered that he is speaking of the

district round Dara only and that many of the inhabitants thereabouts are Dagu and Birked as well as Fur. He says: "'Kilma' is what seems to correspond to our idea of 'soul.' It is called 'the power of the liver,' for believing that the liver is the seat of the soul it is considered that an increase of a man's soul may be obtained by partaking of an animal's liver." When an animal is killed, he says, the Fur eat

the liver raw but avoid touching it with the hands as it is sacred. " Women are not allowed to eat liver, and are believed not to possess a

' Kilma. '...When a man dies

his

' Kilma ' is supposed to go to Accra and there he is told whether he has been good enough to go to Molu. Molu is the ancient native name for God." Felkin adds that Molu lives in Jouel (the sky), that " Uddu" similarly corresponds to Hell, and that women have no life after this one. The ghosts of departed spirits, he says,

are called "malal."

As regards the beliefs concerning the liver there is evidence in support to be found in el Tunisi 's book, where there is a description of the ritual eating of liver

at the inauguration of a Sultan.