270 
TRAVELS IN CENTRAL AFRICA. 
tent and the hut of the deceased, had now been completed. A bull 
had been slaughtered near it, and I gave another, the carcases of 
both animals lying untouched until the completion of the burial. 
Crowds of people surrounded the hut containing the corpse, some 
of whom were chanting the good qualities of the deceased : that 
of valour in battle was especially dwelt upon : during these parts 
of the recitals, the tom-tom and shrill fifes, in countless numbers, 
sent forth discordant music. A procession at this stage, headed by 
the two resident wives, to beat of drum and song, proceeded to- 
wards the grave, where the large trunk of a tree was being carved 
into fantastic work at one extremity. The wives were supported by 
women, and preceding them was a woman waving a green bough, 
and a number of the same sex followed, dancing sedately, but I 
cannot say gracefully. When near the grave, the solemnity of the 
proceedings took an acrobatic turn : the bereaved wives broke 
suddenly from their supporters, and turning a succession of admi- 
rably executed somersaults, and throwing themselves backwards, 
they fell exhausted. The females, led by the bearer of the green 
branch, danced several times slowly around the grave, chanting as 
they did so ; whilst the men, whooping shrilly, sprang from a state 
of inertness into the most buoyant and graceful activity in perform- 
ance of a sham fight. In groups of five or six, and many singly, 
no impediment of bush or stone prevented their impetuous rush to 
encounter the imaginary enemy. Again, when on the defensive, 
their activity in evading supposed arrows was admirable ; and, when 
a chance was given, dropping quick as thought on the left knee, 
they drew their bows, feigning to discharge an arrow. Retreating 
always with their faces to, and scrutinously watching, their enemy, 
others coming to their relief took up the defence ; whilst an occa- 
sional backward glance served to guide the retreating parties, whose 
