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taken of this charm ; if lost, no pains are spared to find it again, 

 and if not recovered, a feeling of insecurity remains. When 

 about to set off on a journey they try earnestly to obtain one, or 

 to borrow one for the occasion. For all that, however, it is 

 astonishing how timid they are. If an unusual noise is heard at 

 night they suspect enemies, even if it is only caused by a harm- 

 less animal ; nay, when so alarmed, they often mistake trees, 

 animals, &c., for enemies in the broad daylight. Their pernicious 

 customs make this feeling of fear often only too well founded. 



Twins portend evil, because uncommon, hence one of the infants 

 has to die ; it is said that some kill the boys derived from a 

 white father. 



If one falls sick or dies, the natives at once conclude he must 

 have been bewitched, or bitten, or hurt by the devil — eringa. 

 At the same time they think they can bewitch others, the old 

 ones and the medicine-men especially fostering that belief. For 

 this purpose they employ various magic agencies as charms, as the 

 following : — 



1. Nguanja, a stout, oblong piece of wood or bone, resembling 

 a lead pencil, which, when of the latter substance, is made of the 

 tibia, or big bone of the emu. At one end it is a little thicker 

 and blunt, while the opposite extremity is thinner, and tapering 

 to a point. This implement is thrown by the old men and 

 sorcerers in the direction of their enemy to make him sick, or to 

 kill him, as they imagine. 



2. Ntjala, resembling the former in shape, but made of the 

 shinbone of the kangaroo. The old man or sorcerer points with 

 this at the enemy, who sits near his fire, at some distance, in 

 order to sicken or kill him. 



3. Kwalja-kwaJja, a tuft of emu feathers, worn usually fixed 

 under the belt at the back ; it is supposed to protect them from 

 their enemies, and to give the wearer strength to kill them. 



4. Dara^ a tuft of eagle feathers, serving the same purpose as 

 the preceding. 



5. Lalkara, a little implement about six inches long, and either 

 of wood or bone, which is worn through the septum of the nose, 

 and by means of which they also think they can hurt others. 



Finally, in addition, they employ magic songs and spells. 



Evil spirits and devils are combated in the same way as we 

 have seen when describing the burial rites. 



The following supplementary remarks may be added : — 



If a person dies at night, men armed with spears place them- 

 selves near by to frighten Itana (the spirit), that it may bring no 

 harm to them. 



When eclipses of sun or moon take place tliey fancy that the 

 devil (erinja) has placed himself in front of those bodies, and 



