240 The Biibis, or Edeeyah of Fernando Po. 



betrothal, the female is obliged to remain in the hut, from 

 which she is not allowed to wander out until there are un- 

 equivocal signs of pregnancy. If this does not take place, 

 she continues under observation in her hut for eighteen 

 months or moons. On her first appearance, or joining the 

 tribe as a manned woman, a feast is held by the friends. 

 Polygamy is universally permitted, the number of wives de- 

 pending much on the circumstances of the party. Two and 

 three are the usual number ; but some of the chiefs have large 

 harems, a few upwards of 100. Bulloka, king of Bario-batah, 

 a town seven miles from Clarence, is said to have upwards of 

 200 : how far correct, I know not. Still it appears that fe- 

 males are much more numerous than males ; which the na- 

 tives admit to be the case. 



Adultery is considered a very aggravated crime against 

 their social system. For the first offence both parties are 

 punished by the loss of a hand ; but in the case of the man, 

 he can only lose one : the punishment for the second offence 

 being severe chastisement and heavy fines, extended even to 

 the property of the relatives. The woman loses her remain- 

 ing hand for a repetition of the adultery ; a third offence dis- 

 qualifies for a continuance in the village or town. These un- 

 fortunate women mostly take refuge Avith the Ki'oomen. I 

 noticed several who had forfeited both hands, living in the 

 care of the Kroomen at Clarence. Adultery is said to be 

 very unfrequent. The amputation is performed with a com- 

 mon knife, and is done at the wrist-joint. After the opera- 

 tion, a vegetable stringent is applied, which is said to control 

 the hemorrhage. Clay is put over all, and the arm held up- 

 right by a relay of friends. The body is covered with clay 

 and palm-oil, to keep the suffei*er as warm as possible. I 

 examined the stumps of several of these unhappy offenders 

 against the Adeeyah system of morals, and they looked as 

 well as if done by the most accomplished surgeon. Death 

 seldom results from the operation. Of the number of inha- 

 bitants collectively, or in the respective towns and villages, 

 it would be hazardous to surmise, since no authentic infor- 

 mation can be procured on the subject. Some have stated 

 5000 to be the probable estimate ; but, judging from the well- 



