-*> Anthropology : Physical 



Besides mortars of various sizes (tiny ones are made of 

 wood or of ivory for grinding snufF), the native Liberians make 

 wooden scabbards (sometimes covered with leather) for swords, 

 small wooden stools to sit on, and large benches ; the framework 

 of beds (amongst the Vai), and a variety of pots and dishes, 

 some of these being obviously modelled on European patterns 

 in earthenware. The Fat, Mandingo, and Kpzcesi people can 



397. NATIVE HARP, SWOKU, ANIJ S(Al;l;AKlJ, ANIJ MANDINGO WOODEN I'LA nib, 

 FROM NOKTH-WESTliKN LIBKKIA 



fashion, carve, ornament, and beautify the long boards with 

 short legs, on which they play the game of pd. These boards 

 are scooped out into a number of parallel holes wherein beans or 

 other counters can be placed. This game, which is called po 

 in many parts of Liberia, is the familiar i^ao of Eastern (Bantu) 

 Africa. It is apparently akin in meaning and origin to back- 

 gammon, and was originally introduced (it is thought) from 



lOII 



