PYGMIES AND FOREST NEGROES 



555 



being executed for their supposed crimes, are thrown into the bush and 

 left un buried. 



The Lendu have no very clearly marked religion, though they have a 

 distinct ancestor-worship, and are accustomed to remember the dead by 

 placing roughly carved wooden dolls (supposed to represent the deceased 

 persons) in the abandoned hut where the dead lie buried. They have many 

 doctors in white and black magic of both sexes, and firmly believe that 



307. NATIVES OF THE UPPER CONGO, NEAR ARIWIMI MOUTH (SHOWING CICATKISATIOH AM> 



TEETH-SHARPEN ING ) 



certain people possess the power of making rain. The rain-maker is either 

 a chief or almost invariably becomes one. 



Much of the foregoing summary of the industries, customs, and 

 belief of the Lendu may be applied without variation to the other forest 

 agricultural Negroes, such as the Babira stock, the Baamba aud Bahuku, 

 and the non-Bantu Mbuba. The Mbuba, in fact, except in language, 

 resemble the Lendu very closely, though in physique they are taller 

 and better-looking. The houses of the Bambuba and most of the 

 Bantu-speaking forest tribes of the Semliki and Ituri forests are some- 

 what the same shape as the bouses of the Lendu (in that they have a 



