ABSURD OBSERVANCES. — SORCERY. 
551 
smaller antelopes, cut to a triangular shape and scored with certain 
lines, and the two intermediate pieces which are flat bear on their 
edges several notches which are thought to contribute greatly to its 
protective and salutary power. 
Many of these absurd practices and observances are connected 
with, or relate to, the growth of their corn, and are imagined to be 
strongly efficacious, in obtaining a plentiful harvest, and even neces- 
sary to promote the falling of a due quantity of rain, which otherwise 
would not visit their fields. The killing of certain animals during 
the time while their corn is growing or standing on the land, is 
strictly forbidden by a law which is scrupulously attended to by every 
one ; and the trading in ivory is under the same restriction. * 
The belief in lucky and unlucky omens, is of course, one of 
their follies ; and witchcraft, or rather sorceri/, (for in this country old 
women are not suspected of having any hand in such matters,) occu- 
pies a very considerable share of their attention, and forms the 
principal article of their creed. A reasonable person would not 
easily conceive the inconsistent notions which they entertain on this 
subject, or the foolish tales they relate as proofs of the important 
and serious part it plays in this land. The death of Mulihaban their 
late chief, who, in the month of March had died in reality from the 
infirmities of age, was said to have been caused by the sorcery of his 
former friend, and late enemy, Makrakki ; and so firmly was this 
believed by Mattivi and his friends, that it had been resolved to 
revenge it by warfare and plunder : the son thus pursuing with 
outrage the man whom his father had already injured. This threat, 
however, was not put in execution during the time of my travels in 
the Transgariepine. The oxen which the Nuakketsies, as already 
related, had sent as a present to the Chief, just before my arrival at 
Litakun, were found, according to their judgment, to be, by means 
of Mokkaba's sorcery, completely saturated with evil, for the pur- 
pose of causing the death of Mattivi. In order to frustrate the in- 
tentions of his adversary, one of these was given as food for my 
* See page 481. of the first volume. 
