THE PHALLUS CULT AAIONGST THE BANTU; 

 PARTICULARLY THE BAPEDI OF EASTERN TRANS- 



\'AAL. 



i'.y Kcv. !()ii.\NXi:s Auc.ust Winter. 



The following- is a translation of a manuscript written by a 

 native minister, Martinus Sebusane, on the subject of the Koma, 

 or circumcision. It was revised by the native minister, J. 

 Mphole. The pamphlet has been translated by me, and I have 

 added my explanations. Many authors, amongst almost every 

 nation, have written essays about the Phallus Cult, as one of the 

 oldest Cults, nay, by many it has been spoken of as the very 

 first religious Cult of men. In one of the back-numbers of the 

 Religious Psychology — one of the best German periodicals deal- 

 ing with religion and psychology in their relations to each other — 

 many German, French, and English writers about the Phallus 

 Cult are referred to. Some go so far as to make out that the 

 Cross (Christian and others) was originally a symbol of this Cult. 



The following is only a small contribution, useful to men 

 who study and are interested in the scientific researches regard- 

 ing original religion, especially the sacred rites of the aborigines 

 of South Africa. - 



That the mvstery of germinating life sliould tlraw the atten- 

 ti(^n of simple human beings, and lead them into the belief in an 

 unseen supernatural power, we can easily understand. The 

 golden bull, the Apis Cult, amongst many other historical facts, 

 prove it. In how far the Old Testament Circumcision has been 

 influenced by this Egyptian Cult, is difficult to say. I dare say, 

 however, that the following about the old Circumcision amongst 

 our natives will induce the reader to think that this most sacred 

 and most secret mysterious law is nodiing but the Phallus Cult, 

 or, at least, a remnant of it. The very symbols of breeding 

 (sit 7'ciiia fcrbo! ) are praised in the hymns used throughout, from 

 early to late, during this most sacred season of our natives. The 

 very hymn is a Cult. AH Cults have it. 



Translation. 



Koma is the name of the congregation of those going to be 

 circumcised, of those who henceforth are no more to be seen 

 or to have intercourse with those at home. The name means 

 Mystery (Secret), it indicates also a very great matter of the 

 hig-hest importance. Go holla — the \\'ord for what is going to be 

 done — means : to go out. 



The beginning of the Kouia. — The young uncircumcised 

 boys inform all their family connections, that they are going 



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