166 
LENDING ROOFS OF IIDT8. 
constantly, in order to give notice of the approach of groat 
people. Whon wo had decided to remain for tho night at 
any viilago, the inhabitants lent us tho roofs of thoir lints, 
which in form resemble thoso of tho Makololo, or a Chi Law- 
man’s hat, and can bo takon off tho walls at pleasure. 
Phoy lifted thorn off, and brought thorn to tho spot wo had 
selected as our lodging, and, whon my men had propped 
thorn up with stakes, they were then safely housed for tho 
night. Every one who comes to saluto either Mancnko or 
ourselves rubs tho upper parts of tho arms and chest with 
ashos ; thoso who wish to show profoundor rovorcnco put 
somo also on tho faco. 
Wo found that every village had its idols near it. This 
is tho case all through tho country of tho Balonda, so that, 
when wo camo to an idol in tho woods, wo always know 
that wo woro within a quarter of an hour of human habi- 
tations. Ono very ugly idol wo passed rested on a hori- 
zontal beam placed on two upright posts This beam was 
furnished with two loops of cord, as of a chain, to suspend 
offorings before it On remarking to my companions that 
thoso idols had cars, but that thoy heard not, &c., I learned 
that tho Balonda, and oven tho Barotso, bcliovo that divina- 
tion may bo performed by moans of these blocks of wood 
and clay ; and, though tho wood itself could not hear, tho 
owners had modicincs by which it could bo mado to hear 
and givo responses, so that if an enemy woro approaching 
thoy would havo full information. Manonko having brought 
us to a stand on account of slight indisposition and a desire 
to send forward notico of our approach to her undo, 1 
asked why it was nocossary to send forward information 
of our movements if Shinto had idols who could toll him 
every thing. “ Sho did it only/'* was tho roply. It is 
seldom of much uso to show ono who worships idols the 
folly of idolatry without giving something olso as an object 
* This is a curious African idiom, by which a person implies he had no 
particular reason for his act. 
