The Buhis, or Edeeyah of Fernando Po. 241 



known harems of some of its chiefs, as also the population 

 of some of the smaller towns near Clarence, I should say 

 15,000, not to exceed. Bassa-poo and Ban-na-pa, though small 

 towns, would seem to have not less than 1000 to 1200 each, 

 from what we noticed on visiting them. 



The dwellings of the Edeeyahs are most primitive and un- 

 comfortable. At many of the villages and towns we visited, 

 the greater number of the huts were formed simply by 

 spreading a coarse matting of palm-leaves over four rude 

 posts, just large enough to screen the tenants from the dew 

 and part of the rain, but open to all the winds of heaven. 

 The more wealthy have, however, their domiciles of wicker- 

 woi'k of a square form, and even plastered with mud. Such 

 obtain in the villages and towns near Clarence chiefly, and 

 have probably been imitated fi'om those of our Sierra Leone 

 settlers there. A pillow, hewn out of a block of palm-tree, 

 an earthenware pot to boil yams, a pipe for smoking, and a 

 topi calabash, make up the list of their furniture. 



When we remember the variable nature of the climate, and 

 its heavy rains from May to December, it is truly surprising 

 how anything human could exist under such circumstances ; 

 and yet they are not only robust, but enjoy good health ; and 

 except smallpox, from which they sufier dreadfully when 

 once introduced, they have few disorders of a rapid or serious 

 character. The principal diseases are light fevers, and skin 

 afi'ections ; psora, in its worst and African form ; and some 

 cases of dracunculus, or guinea-worm ; but now and then a 

 case of elephantiasis of the lower extremity is seen. I need 

 not mention that, once that scourge of mankind (especially 

 the black portion), the smallpox, commences, it spi'eads with 

 rapidity through the tribe, and carries off great numbers. 

 As yet, little has been done to introduce the vaccine among 

 them, as their Buyeh-rupis or priests are the doctors, and they 

 regard with distrust and ill-feeling anything which is likely 

 to remove or weaken tlieir influence among the tribes. They 

 use a few vegetable remedies ; and anointing certain parts 

 of the body witli clay and palm-oil near a fire, is a common 

 means for headaches and skin diseases ; but the chief re- 

 VOI,. XMV. NO. liXXXVm. — AnuL 1848. u 



