184 



POISON OEDEAL. 



character of an Irish wake. There is nothing more heart- 

 rending than their death wails. When the natives turn their 

 eyes to the future world, they have a view cheerless enough of 

 their own utter helplessness and hopelessness. They fancy 

 themselves completely in the power of the disembodied spirits, 

 and look upon the prospect of following them as the greatest of 

 misfortunes. Hence they are constantly deprecating the wrath 

 of departed souls, believing that, if they are appeased, there is 

 no other cause of death but witchcraft, which may be averted 

 by charms. The whole of the colored population of Angola are 

 sunk in these gross superstitions, but have the opinion, notwith- 

 standing, that they are wiser in these matters than their white 

 neighbors. Each tribe has a consciousness of following its own 

 best interests in the best way. They are by no means destitute 

 of that self-esteem which is so common in other nations; yet 

 they fear all manner of phantoms, and have half-developed 

 ideas and traditions of something or other, they know not what. 



One of the most distressing customs growing out of the super- 

 stition of these people is their appeal to the "poison ordeal" in 

 cases of alleged guilt. The draught is prepared by certain 

 priests or pretended diviners at a particular spot on the banks 

 of the river Ina. Its effects differ in proportion to the strength 

 or weakness of the decoction. In a weaker state it remains in 

 the stomach and produces a horrible death ; when stronger, it 

 causes violent vomiting, and is not fatal. It is easily under- 

 stood how the experienced priest who administers it may decide 

 the destiny of a poor victim of the terrible delusion. If the 

 draught causes death it is considered proof positive of guilt, and 

 many a poor wife or despised daughter has fallen a victim by 

 the agency of this appeal to the contempt or unfaithfulness of 

 her friends or husband. It is an awful ordeal for the people, 

 but a fat place for the priest. 



Some writers have spoken of Angola as abounding in wild 

 animals, but with very little evidence. It seems generally 

 taken for granted that because there are ferocious monsters in 

 some sections of this continent that they may therefore be 

 assumed to be anywhere and everywhere. There seems to be 

 rather an extraordinary absence of such inhabitants in Angola. 

 Even the few which may be there are so intimidated and spirit- 



