Our Last "Safari" 



chest, which made the incisions. This bird is an object of 

 worship and must never be killed. 



This flagellation, which was administered to them with 

 so much cruelty, has for its object the hardening of their 

 body into endurance, and serves as a sort of preliminary 

 test before making the incisions, which are very painful 

 and cause a great loss of blood. 



On the third day, in the small hours of the morning, there 

 takes place the final flagellation, the object of which is to 

 exercise and render more supple the limbs of the neophytes. 

 This is called Mbaku mulcfu. It does not last more than 

 an hour after which the newly initiated are led into the forest 

 where they are to spend several weeks in deep meditation. 

 Arrived at the place where they are to remain in seclusion, 

 they may wash their body for the last time until their wounds 

 have completely healed up, and then they may anoint them- 

 selves with palm oil. 



Observations on the Rules and Instructions to be 

 complied with during the time of probation. 



(i) From the moment the tattooing (incision) ceremony 

 is over, the newly initiated bear the name of Maganza — 

 which means young men. They arc put, several together, 

 into one hut and placed under the supervision of a guardian. 

 This supervision lasts two or three months — even as long 

 as six months — according to the customs peculiar to each of 

 the various Wabali tribes. 



The probation period being over, the newly initiated are, 

 according to the native expression, " ducked into the water," 

 and are hereafter entitled to be called Bahcdi, that is to say 

 " men." 



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