238 The Buhis or Edeeyah of Fernando Po. 



the same time they believe in and worship as the great head 

 of their religion, an unknown great spirit whom they call 

 Riipl, and whom they believe to be the sovereign ruler of the 

 world. The idols (different wooden and earthen figures) are 

 called " Mohs,'' while the priests or Juju men, of which there 

 are always two to each village and town, are styled Buyeh- 

 Rupis. It is needless to say that these latter possess un- 

 limited confidence and control, and are in fact the principal 

 movers in all unusual events, since nothing can be commenced 

 or carried on without consulting the " Mohs" or idols, a pre- 

 rogative only granted to the Buyeh-Rupis. The offerings to 

 the mohs or idols are portions of cooked meat, venison, 

 ground pig, fowl, and palm wine or topi. Like most Africans, 

 the Edeeyah always spits out the first mouthful of spirits, 

 or any beverage he is about to partake of, as a portion for 

 the Moh ! or god. The principal religious festival is just be- 

 fore planting tlie yam, and not at the completion of the har- 

 vest as in other parts of Africa. At the season just spoken 

 of, they make up a large hunting party in each village or 

 town, for the capture of a sort of buffalo which is said to be 

 found in the mountains. It resembles a bullock, but is larger ; 

 it is black above, with some white about the belly. It is 

 wild, scarce, and difficult to be procured, also for the golden 

 roode-bocke and philatumba (two species of antelope), monkeys, 

 a species of large rat, called a ground pig, for the purpose of 

 making a great peace-offering to the unknown god Riipi, 

 through the mediation of the mohs or idols. The meat is 

 roasted and placed before them ; after which the tribe par- 

 take of the remainder, eating almost to a surfeit. They be- 

 lieve by this feast the deities are conciliated, and a good yam 

 season insured. Topi, or palm wine, is freely partaken of on 

 such occasions, and is then kept prepared in its most exhila- 

 rating form. 



On the decease oi any member of a tribe, lamentation is 

 made for seven suns or days. The body is covered with a 

 sort of white clay, and buried the day of decease. A hole 

 is dug just large enough to receive the body placed on its 

 side in a sitting posture, with the legs doubled up, and the 

 head laid toward the Peak of Clarence, the highest moun- 

 tain point. Whether this may have any connexion with the 



