Interior Parts of Afrizat i$L 



of hit family. The dead are generallv buried by their rela- 

 tions under large trees. During the time of the funeral a 

 large fire is kindled, in which the effects of the deceafed are 

 burnt, and the alhes are thrown iuto the grave. The fire is 

 kept burning till the next full moon. Whoever fteals a mar- 

 ried or unmarried female, may keep her as his wife; but, if 

 he does not ehoofe to do fo, he may fell her, and in return 

 generally receives a fheep, or a greater or lefe number of aila- 

 gays, according to hej beauty. Thefe people are kind and 

 hofpitable to ft rangers. 



Damberger left the Kamtarians on the 7th of October, 

 and on the 30th, aftef palling through part of the kingdom 

 of Bin, arrived in the territories of that of Mataman. The 

 fovereign ut ihis country rules with unlimited power, and is 

 ftiled Sobaatcoia, that is, Chofen by the gods. The crown is 

 hereditary to females as well as males. When one of the 

 former fucceeds, (lie may ehoofe from her fubjeets a hufband 

 to participate with her in the government. The perfon fo 

 chofen, however, muft be firft examined by the oldeft part of 

 the community, in order that it may be known whether he 

 pollelfes the talents neeeffary for the intended dignity. The 

 king here acts in the capacity of high-prieft, prophet, and 

 tutor to the youth. His decifions are refpected even when 

 he judges wrong. He pofleffes the exclufive privilege of 

 having a plurality of wives, and muft inftall the inferior 

 judges, priefts, See.' He never takes the field againft the 

 enemy, but delegates the command of the army to another. 

 The foldiers are brave, and exceedingly expert in managing 

 their bows and arrows. They are faid to amount to about 

 30,000. There are three large cities in the kingdom, the 

 capital of which, called Seenhofa, lies at the diftance of two 

 days journey. This city, the residence of the king, our tra- 

 veller rcfolved to \ifit; and, being furnifhed with a perfon to 

 fhow him the way, foon reached the place. On his arrival. 

 be repaired to the Mohwuia *, who gave him Come corn and 

 four milk, and conducted him into his hut, where he was 



•* This is the name given to the governors appoints in each town bv 

 the king, atthc feme time act as piiefls. 



£ k 2 allowed. 



