PREDICTION. 



359 



forehead. He sits like a sultan upon a dwarf stool in 

 front of the querist, and begins by exhorting the highest 

 possible offertory. No pay, no predict. Divination by 

 the gourd has already been described ; the Mganga has 

 many other implements of his craft. Some prophesy 

 by the motion of berries swimming in a cup full of water, 

 which is placed upon a low stool surrounded by four 

 tails of the zebra or the buffalo lashed to sticks planted 

 upright in the ground. The Kasanda is a system of 

 folding triangles not unlike those upon which plaything 

 soldiers are mounted. Held in the right hand, it is 

 thrown out, and the direction of the end points to 

 the safe and auspicious route ; this is probably the 

 rudest appliance of prestidigitation. The shero is a bit of 

 wood about the size of a man's hand, and not unlike a 

 pair of bellows, with a dwarf handle, a projection like 

 a nozzle, and in the circular centre a little hollow. This 

 is filled with water, and a grain or fragment of wood, 

 placed to float, gives an evil omen if it tends towards 

 the sides, and favourable if it veers towards the handle 

 or the nozzle. The Mganga generally carries about 

 with him to announce his approach a kind of rattle 

 called " sanje." This is a hollow gourd of pine-apple 

 shape, pierced with various holes, prettily carved and 

 half filled with maize, grains, and pebbles ; the handle 

 is a stick passed through its length and secured by 

 cross-pins. 



The Mganga has many minor duties. In elephant 

 hunts he must throw the first spear and endure the 

 blame if the beast escapes. He marks ivory with spots 

 disposed in lines and other figures, and thus enables it 

 to reach the coast without let or hindrance. He loads 

 the kirangozi or guide with charms and periapts to 

 defend him from the malice which is ever directed 



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