322 SPORT, TRAVEL, AND ADVENTURE 



the home from enemies. In addition to these there are 

 three subordinate Geni Watari, Rohan, god of the sea, 

 and Mavoua, god of the rain. The last resides at 

 Maziwe Island, off Zanzibar. 



The Kibwengu are the native spirits of the island, 

 and are to be found inland. During the day they 

 hide in holes in the ground, but at night they sit on 

 the branches of the trees, ready to drop on any passer- 

 by. The king of the Kibwengu is Rubamba, and next 

 in order of precedence come Bure, Pentakula, and 

 Kumbwaya. I could not discover that any of these 

 possessed special qualities or attributes. I asked the 

 boys what their appearance was like, and they all 

 agreed that the devils had white faces and red beards. 



The devils are believed to have power to cure various 

 diseases, and also to influence coming events. When a 

 native is ill or in difficulties he goes to a witch-doctor, 

 and the latter tells him which particular devil he should 

 apply to for a remedy. Then to invoke the devils' 

 aid a dance is performed by the patient or suitor and 

 his neighbours. Many of the devils have special dances 

 that must be performed to invoke them. Thus the 

 dance for Subian is called Kilatubi, the music being 

 played on a bell and three drums. Makata has no 

 special dance. The dance for Watari is called Tari, 

 and is also accompanied by a bell and three drums. 

 Dances are never performed for Rohan and Mavoua, 

 but songs are sung in honour of the latter. The dance 

 for Rubamba is called Kirubamba, and is accompanied 

 by only one drum. Bure and Pentakula share a dance 

 known as Uganga. Kumbwaya's dance is called Ukum- 

 bwaya, and the proper music is made by striking 

 together two small blocks of wood. 





