-^ Anthropology : Physical 



Besides mortars of various sizes (tiny ones are made of 

 wood or of ivory tor grinding snuff), the native Liberians make 

 wooden scabbards (sometimes covered with leather) for swords, 

 small wooden stools to sit on, and large benches ; the framework 

 at beds (amongst the Vai), and a variety of pots and dishes, 

 some ot these being obviously mocielled on European patterns 

 in earthenware. The /V;/, Mandingo^ and Kpzcesi people can 



397. NATIVE HARP, SWORD, AND SCABBARD, AND MANDINGO WOODEN PLATES, 

 FROM NORTH-WESTERN LIBERIA 



fashion, carve, ornament, and beautify the long boards with 

 short legs, on which they plav the game of po. These boards 

 are scooped out into a number of parallel holes wherein beans or 

 other counters can be placed. This game, which is called po 

 in many parts of Liberia, is the familiar l^ao of Eastern (Bantu) 

 Africa. It is apparently akin in meaning and origin to back- 

 gammon, and was originally introduced (it is thought) from 



lOIl 



