328 Mr Maxwell’s Observations 
alliance with these Amazons, of whose tyranny they complain 
bitterly. Notwithstanding the manifest want of circumspec- 
tion evinced in their own conduct, they exact the most scrupu- 
lous decorum from their husbands towards women. 
I am not aware that a similar custom prevails in the adjoining 
province of Chimfooka, or in any other part of the coast between 
Mayumba and the Congo. 
Priests . — The Patriarch or High Priest, Boonzie, resides at 
Maccatala. His spiritual jurisdiction is very extensive, and his 
person is held so sacred, that no one, however high his rank, 
presumes to approach, or even address him, when admitted to 
his presence, until a sign is given, whereupon the obeisance paid 
him approaches to adoration. 
Every audience is accompanied by a present, valuable in pro- 
portion to the wealth of the person suing for patronage or re- 
dress ; but as Boonzie is believed incapable of taking a bribe, 
he is solicited to inspect the present ; and those articles he ap- 
proves qf, being tied loosely to the parcel, dropoff whilst the at- 
tendants are retiring with it. 
None of the princes, to a considerable distance from Maccata- 
la, consider themselves safe under the patriarch’s displeasure. 
There is therefore a constant resort to his residence ; and his 
office thus becomes a source of much emolument. 
The district of Maccatala is held sacred by all the neigh- 
bouring nations, and happy do they esteem themselves who can 
get the bodies of their departed friends deposited in that hal- 
lowed ground ; an opportunity, of which those bordering on the 
river, never fail to avail themselves. Canoes may be seen almost 
every day at Embomma, going down the river to Maccatala with 
dead bodies. They are always distinguished from other canoes, 
by some particular mark of funeral solemnity. Voombi quenda 
Maccatala! would the natives on board answer, when asked 
where these canoes were going. 
The present patriarch is about sixty years of age, a dignified 
and venerable looking man, no way distinguished by his dress 
from the other chiefs. He was the first person with whom, in 
sailing up the river, I had an interview, and but for the sanctity 
of whose character, (on which he laid great stress,) I had found 
it no easy matter to bring the natives to a parley. Upon com- 
