42 SECOND FLOOR, WEST WING 
fishing is accomplished by putting poison into the water to stupify the fish 
which are then gathered in the hands by hundreds. 
‘These primitive people of the Congo display remarkable skill ia working 
iron, as an examination of their weapons of war and of the chase will show. 
Wood-carving, weaving, and spinning are done by the men; pottery is 
made by the women. Musical instruments are numerous. An exhibition 
of bronze and brass castings, a craft among the Benin and unheard of before 
1897, is in the north end of the hall. Many of these bronzes portray cul- 
tural traits. This method of casting was employed in Europe in the Renais- 
sance period. How old the art may be and how much of it is really native 
is a question. 
Bark cloth, shown in some of the cases, is used for bed mats and clothing. 
In the case at the south end of the Congo collections are a number of so- 

MULANDI CARVED STICKS, AFRICA 
Wood carving is a highly developed art in South-central Africa and the Congo. 
The carving on these knob-sticks represents great power of finish and execution 
called “pile blankets” which the men weave and the women decorate. 
The countless number of knives, spears and warlike implements is 
suggestive of the manner in which these people live; they are never certain 
of not being attacked. They make few permanent things and store up 
little food in time of plenty. 
Fetish worship is common. Some of these fetishes are supposed to give 
security in battle or to ward off ills. The ceremonial masks of which a great 
number are on exhibition, are owned and worn mostly by the shamans or 
priests. Ancestor worship is found among some tribes. 
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