Geography and Ethnology, 273 
honey, etc., and do not disguise that they are fond of 
a bacchanalian carousal. 
The country is governed by a chief (helyu), sub- 
chief, and their "lubu" (party) of toibs or councillors. 
Chiefs are elected from five distinct families, each 
chief retaining office eight years. Associated with 
the government they have a horrible custom called 
Rab," which requires that the people of those who 
are out of office should throw away their children, the 
chief in power and his lubu " only being allowed to 
rear their families. Mothers have to cast away their 
children into the woods, to be devoured, it is pre- 
tended, by wild beasts, but oftener, we hope, to be 
picked up by some humane friend who will nurse and 
take care of them. The latter, we believe, and are 
happy to state for the credit of humanity, often takes 
place. The object of this custom is to keep down the 
numbers of those who are not in power, and to 
increase those who are. 
The Gallas have but little idea of rehgion. They 
have an indistinct notion of a Supreme Being, whom 
they call Waka,'' but the word is also applied to 
the sky, as if they confounded the one with the 
other. An evil genius, called Ekera," has some 
vague existence in their thoughts. They have their 
high days and hoHdays, their festivals and sacrificial 
ceremonies, all of which are more or less of a super- 
stitious character. They call upon God " (Waka 
wam) to bless them with a numerous progeny, to 
multiply their flocks and herds, and to give them the 
victory over, and to bring confusion and destruction 
upon, their foes. 
In regard to marriage they have a peculiar custom. 
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