106 THE BONDS OF AFRICA 



I correct myself and write " has been a severe 

 one," for British justice and the men who 

 administer it in the back-yards of the Empire 

 have practically stamped out these atrocious 

 practices. 



If their sense of criminal punishment has been 

 stern, what can one write of their devilish 

 dealings to the vanquished in war ? — eyes gouged 

 out, lips and noses sliced away, arms and legs cut 

 off. The technical advisers of the Inquisition 

 might have envied their erudite cruelty. 



There is, or rather was, an instrument of tor- 

 ture among the Awemba known as the " lamvia." 

 After I had scaled the Muchingas I travelled 

 through a considerable portion of the Awemba 

 country and tried hard to secure one of these 

 charming affairs, but without success. The 

 " lamvia " consists of a hollowed-out sable 

 antelope's or bullock's horn, and is fitted with 

 a crude kind of mask and a bell. Into this the 

 head of the unfortunate captive or offender 

 against the laws of the Awemba was forced and 

 his throat was cut. The blood spurted forth 

 into the horn and rang the bell, to the immense 

 enjoyment of the lookers-on. 



Yet, despite their cruel, warlike natures, I 

 always found the Awemba Nature's gentlemen. 

 When I visited Luchembe's village, Luchembe, 

 paramount chief of the Awemba south of the 

 Chambezi River, saluted me, gave me presents 

 of sweet potatoes, and furnished me with a guide 

 to lead me to the great marshes of Lake Ban- 

 gweolo. One cannot but shudder at their love 

 of mutilation, but to any white man who upholds 

 the dignity of his race among them they are as 

 respectful as they are kindly; for they are 



