232 



NOETH-EAST AFRICA. 



of the lineage. In the commune of the Kunamas there are very few acts which 

 call down a general punishment ; a thief even escapes censure, being simply com- 

 pelled to restore what he has taken, just as if it had been borrowed. The only 

 pimishment imposed by the community is exile. This sentence is carried out by 

 young men who mount on the roof of the criminal's hut and scatter the thatch to 

 the winds. This is the signal for the exile to depart, and he never can return 

 to his native place. 



Munzinger has vainly sought in the Kunama country for traces of Christianity, 

 such as those foimd to the east amongst the Bogos, and westwards in Senaar. 



Fig. 75. — Inhabitants of Taka and Neighbouking Distuicts. 

 Scale 1 : 7..50O.noo. 



120 MHes. 



There are seen no ruined churches, and the current religious ideas show no traces 

 of the influence of the Christian or Jewish dogmas. The religion of the Kunama 

 consists in a belief in the evil eye, fear of sorcerers, wearing of amulets, veneration 

 of the alfai, or " makers of rain," respect for old men, and especially the blind. 

 They likewise have a great veneration for the dead, and bury them carefully, which 

 seems to imply a belief in immortality. Nevertheless, a slow religious propaganda 

 has already made considerable progress amongst the Bazen and Barea republics. 

 Half of the Barea already call themselves Mohammedans, although thej^ hardiy 

 follow out the precepts of the Koran. On the other hand, on the Abyssinian frontier 

 a number of Bazen are reputed to belong to the Christian Church. 



