408 BANTU METHODS OF DIVINATION. 



in a particular way, and these in their turn affect or " inspire " 

 two or more " prophets," who masquerade as spirits, and emit 

 weird cries through their sitlajani, which are beheved to be the 

 " voice of the gods." These cries are understood by the ini- 

 tiated, but by them alone. In this way the will of the tribal 

 spirits is revealed, and woe betide those who fail to carry out 

 orders received in this way. 



Other Methods. 



The foregoing notes refer to the methods of divination 

 practised by men. Most natives are able to interpret the signs 

 in sortilege more or less accurately, but as a general rule no one 

 presumes to practice until he has graduated under a recognised 

 professor in the art. In addition to the bones and drums there 

 are simpler methods of divination known and practised by the 

 common folk, and even by women. One of these, the moseliscli, 

 is interesting since it is a variation of the custom of "breaking 

 the merry-thought " or " wishing-bone," well known in most 

 English homes. -^^ When the traveller approaches a neighbouring 

 kraal, he will take the ends of a forked twig of the moseli-seli 

 tree and pull them apart. If one of the ends break away, it is 

 regarded as an ominous sign, and the intended visit will pro- 

 bably be postponed. If, however, the branch splits evenly, " like 

 the smile on the face of a friend," it is a sure sign that the 

 querent will be received with smiles of welcome. 



Omens are frequently consulted, and are gathered from the 

 flight of birds and other incidents in Nature ; but as these hardly 

 come within the scope of " artificial aids " to divination, three 

 short examples must stiffice as illustrations of the rest. 



1. If a Grey Lourie''^ is disturbed by herd boys on return- 

 ing towards the kraal, and it flies off without uttering its usual 

 cry — " Go 'way " — trouble is sure to be awaiting them at home. 



2. A flock of mouse birds'''' flying over a kraal fcM-eshadows 

 the advent of visitors with beer. 



3. The track of a snake across the path i)ortends great 

 difficulties on the journey. These can be removed, however, bv 

 cutting- one's way through it with a spear. 



'^ Now replaced in most homes by tlie more retinecl, if more exciting, 

 Christmas cracker. Forked twigs are also used l)y modern " dowsers." 

 "^ Schi.':oris concolor (Layard). 

 '''" Colius ('!\'l!iroiiie!oii (Vicill). 



