XXIII.] LAX MORALS. 30*7 



thority among his chiefs, are death and mutilation. A nose, November, 

 finger, lip, half or the whole of an ear, are cut off for mere pec- i^*^*- 

 cadilloes ; while for serious offenses, hands, toes, ears, nose, and 

 all are taken. 



Kasongo, or the chief for the time being, arrogates to himself 

 divine honors and power, and pretends to abstain from food 

 for days without feeling its necessity ; and, indeed, declares that 

 as a god he is altogether above requiring food, and only eats, 

 drinks, and smokes for the pleasure it affords him. 



In addition to his chief wife, and the harem mantained in his 

 private inclosure, he boasts that he exercises a right to any 

 woman who may please his fancy when on his journeys about 

 the country ; and if any become enceinte, he gives them a mon- 

 key-skin for the child to wear, if a male, as this confers a right 

 to live by taking provisions, cloth, etc. , from any one not of 

 royal blood. 



Into the inclosure of his harem no male but himself is al- 

 lowed between sunset and sunrise on pain of death or mutila- 

 tion ; and even if one of the harem should give birth to a male 

 child during the night, the mother and infant are bundled out 

 immediately. 



His principal wife and the four or five ranking next to her 

 are all of royal blood, being either his sisters or first cousins ; 

 and among his harem are to be found his step-mothers, aunts, 

 sisters, nieces, cousins, and, still more horrible, his own chil- 

 dren. 



As might be exj^ected from such an example, morals are very 

 lax throughout the country, and wives are not thought badly of 

 for being unfaithful, the worst they may expect being severe 

 chastisement from the injured husband. But he never uses ex- 

 cessive violence, for fear of injuring a valuable piece of house- 

 hold furniture. 



When Kasongo sleeps at home, his bedroom furniture consists 

 of members of his harem. Some, on hands and knees, form a 

 couch with their _backs; and others, lying flat on the ground, 

 provide a soft carpet. 



It is the rule for all Warua to light their fires themselves, 

 and cook their own food, Kasongo being the only one exempt 

 from its observance ; but should either of the men appointed to 



