XXV.] THE LEVEE. 329 



Alvez and liis men, all of whom carried guns, were formed February, 

 in line along one side of the open sjjace near the entrance to 1875. 

 the ranssumba, and Jumah Merikani and myself, with our fol- 

 lowers, sat opposite. Midway between these two lines, and to- 

 ward one end, stood Kasongo. Facing him was a man support- 

 ing a curiously shaped axe, and immediately behind him were 

 four women, one of whom also carried an axe similar in form 

 to that of the man in front. Then followed two Waganga and 

 women bearing Kasongo's shields, and behind them a party 

 of men with all Kasongo's guns, standing in line, and flanked 

 on either side by executioners and other officials. In rear of 

 all were his wives and children. Opposite to Kasongo, and 

 close to the entrance of the mussumba, were the chiefs who had 

 been summoned to attend with their followers, all arrayed in 

 their best. 



The next stage of the proceedings consisted of a monotonous 

 droning through a list of Kasongo's titles and a description of 

 his greatness by the women immediately behind him, assisted 

 occasionally by the people joining in chorus. 



This long preamble being finished, the chiefs, commencing 

 with the lowest in rank, came forward in turns and made their 

 salaams. Each one was accompanied by a boy carrying a bag of 

 powdered pipe-clay or cinnabar, and when fairly in front of Ka- 

 songo, at about twenty yards' distance, the bag was taken from 

 the boy by tlie chief, who rubbed its contents upon his arms 

 and chest. Meanwhile he swayed about from one foot to the 

 other, shouting at the top of his voice Kasongo's titles — Ka- 

 lunga Kasongo, Kalunga, Moene Munza, Moene Banza, Moene 

 Tanda, and many others. 



When sufficiently bedaubed, the chief returned the bag to 

 his boy, and, drawing his sword, rushed at Kasongo, seemingly 

 intent upon cutting him down ; but just before reaching him, 

 lie suddenly fell on his knees, driving the sword into the 

 ground, and rubbing his forehead in tlie dust. 



Kasongo having acknowledged this salute with a few words, 

 the chief arose, and, passing to the rear, was rejoined by his re- 

 tainers. 



After all the chiefs had saluted, Kasongo delivered a long 

 speech about himself, his divine rights, greatness, and powers, 



