246 



SOME TRIBAL CUSTOMS IN THEIK RELATION TO MEDICINE AND MORALS 



Blinding 



Various 

 methods of 

 execution 



Blinding. (Zandeh, Modi-Boglieo) 



This mutilation is carried out as follows : The victim having been firmly secured 

 round the body and head against the trunk of a convenient tree — a sharp iron hook is 

 attached by a length of thong to an adjacent sapling, v?hich is strained back until the 

 hook can be placed within the victim's orbit, when it is suddenly released — each eye in 

 succession being destroyed thus. Simple " poking out " of the eye, as in King Lear's case, 

 may take the place of this more elaborate procedure. Blinding is inflicted for the 

 punishment of crime, or to remove an evil eye. Several eases of the latter (two old 

 women) are reported from amongst the people of a local chief near Meridi, who, like the 

 late Khalifa, had a profound dread of this member. The hands are commonly removed 

 as well as the eyes for the reasons given above, and as stated, sometimes emasculation is 

 performed at the same time. 



PiXECUTION 



Is usually the reward of simple offences against Sultans and high Chiefs, or for murdei' 

 and manslaughter among their people. The methods employed are as follows : — 



Throttliiig. {Zandeh, Muvo-Gowko) 



The victim is tied hand and foot, his neck being placed against a tree trunk and a 

 length of rope thrown loosely round both. The executioner holding the free ends 

 behind the tree throws his weight suddenly back and presses against the trunk 

 until death from suffocation results. 



By the knife. {Zandeh, Muvira Gowko) 



Here the neck of the pinioned victim is cut with a sawing movement of the knife 

 " Sappi " " As one would cut the neck of an animal." 

 By the spear 



This, described by Livingstone as the commonest form of execution in Central Africa, 

 is also employed, especially towards enemies of war. One such I met at Amadi, a 

 Gour who during a Nyam-nyam raid was taken prisoner and had his right hand removed ; 

 being then speared in several places, he was left for dead — but recovered — his only 

 grievance now being that his hand was cut off to be eaten (?) at a time when meat was 

 plentiful in the district. 



By poison 



In this method small beans from pods on a certain tree called Tappa are used 

 by the Nyam-nyam. The victim is forced to eat four such, split, baked and crushed 

 up with water. Extreme thirst ensues which is satisfied with quantities to drink ; the 

 body is then said to swell enormously, especially the head, neck and arms, death 

 resulting in about half-an-hour. 

 By fire 



This method is apparently not resorted to, though for the wholesale killing of game, 

 elephant in particular, the Nyam-nyam employ it. 

 Ordeals 



Ordeals in lieu of execution will be dealt with later {ride page 25'2). 

 Flogging 



Is a punishment usually reserved for women at the hands of their husbands. 

 Women being "possessions" and legally considered irresponsible and unaccountable for 

 crime, are not as a rule more severely dealt with. 



