BIG FUNERALS. 



183 



indeed, are more of the negro type than many of the tribes — 

 much the same disposition to imitate the more enlightened 

 white people, as we know to be a feature of negro character in 

 our own country, and naturally enough they succeed best in 

 those particulars which are least commendable. The better 

 qualities in people hardly ever impress themselves as forcibly 

 on the minds of the untutored as do others. These Angolese 

 negroes, for instance, have developed a singular fondness for 

 litigation, in which they are reckless of all results if only they 

 may have the comfort of taking an antagonist to court. Living- 

 stone mentions a case which came before the weekly court of 

 the commandant, involving property in a palm tree worth two- 

 pence. The judge advised the pursuer to withdraw the case, 

 as the mere expenses of entering it would be much more than 

 the cost of the tree. " Oh, no," said he ; "I have a piece of 

 calico with me for the clerk, and money for yourself. It's my 

 right ; I will not forego it." The calico itself cost three or four 

 shillings. They rejoice if they can say of an enemy, " I took 

 him before the court." 



They have also a great ambition for titles and display, in 

 which the Portuguese, who have as little scruples about color as 

 they have about slavery, indulge them quite freely. It is not 

 uncommon for them to invite these petty chiefs, whom they re- 

 tain in a seeming authority for theif own convenience, to their 

 feasts, and they always appear with a show of importance which 

 is sometimes extremely grotesque. 



Funerals here, as in other sections, call forth the greatest 

 excitement and justify all the excesses imaginable. The highest 

 ambition is a grand funeral, and furnishes occasion for more 

 than ordinary forethought. Frequently when one is asked to 

 sell a pig, he replies, " I am keeping it in case of the death of 

 any of my friends." A pig is usually slaughtered and eaten on 

 the last day of the ceremonies, and its head thrown into the 

 nearest stream or river. A native will sometimes appear intox- 

 icated on these occasions, and, if blamed for his intemperance, 

 will reply, " Why ! my mother is dead ! " as if he thought it a 

 sufficient justification. The expenses of funerals are so heavy 

 that often years elapse before they can defray them. The rites 

 are half festive, half mourning, partaking somewhat of the 



