38 NOTES ON WEST AFRICAN CATEGORIES 



this way touched. Some omens predict evil, and 

 others safety. These omens guide the fisherman and 

 the hunter when in their search for food. They help 

 man to discover evil-doers. They portend death but 

 perhaps their principal use is that they cause man to 

 stop and think before he undertakes anything or acts. 



This season of harvest is well represented by this 

 class of nouns which reproduces in a substantive form 

 most of the verbs in the language. 



Ku Ua to hear. 



Ku Uu a place where a thing is heard. 



Ku Tu an ear. 



Ta is to say or tell. 



Ku Ta to collect an assembly of people in a place where the 

 thing is heard , this is generally in the market- 

 place. 



This season of harvest or reaping (KusaZa) is repre- 

 sented by the deity or power Kung^^, (an amassing). 

 Having plenty of food, this is a time when man enjoys 

 good health, sturdiness, and strength (Kumamd). The 

 coming of harvest or pregnancy is awaited with great 

 anxiety, more especially in time of dryness (Kwijima), 

 when shortness (Kufama) brings groaning (Kungd) in 

 the place (Kuma) where food should be sold. This 

 is a time of selfishness (Kuyindula) and pretence 

 (Kuvunina), sometimes of suicide (Kuvondd). Inquiry 

 (Kunkd] is made, and homage (Kunda) is paid to the 

 power (Kungu) presiding over this season, and repent- 

 ance and remorse (Kubanza) is evident everywhere, 

 and then comes the dawn (Kuma) of a brighter day, 

 and order (Kumpama or Kubama) reigns once again. 



There are apparently no animals in this class, and 



