246 Preparations for the March . 
population may number 300. Our host assigned 
to us one of his own huts ; it fronted west, and was 
a facsimile of that which we had just left. The 
old fox, determined not to be “ taken alive,” has 
provided his earth with three holes, opening to the 
north, to the east, and to the west. We often 
detected him in the “ ben,” the matrimonial sanc¬ 
tum, listening to private conversations which he 
could not understand. Gidi Mavunga is decidedly 
a “ serious person.” The three walls round the 
standing bedstead are hung with charms and 
amulets, like the sacred pictures in country parts 
of Europe; and at the head is his “ Mavunga,” of 
which Tuckey says (p. 180), “Each village has 
a grand kissey (nkisi), or presiding divinity, named 
Mevonga :” it is an anthropoid log, about three feet 
high, red, white, and black, the former colour pre¬ 
dominating. Two bits of looking-glass represent 
the eyes, the nose is patulous, as though offended 
by evil savour; the upper lip is drawn up in dis¬ 
dain, the under overlaps the chin ; and a little 
mirror is inserted into the umbilical region. Ma- 
vungas dress is represented by an English billy¬ 
cock hat; while all kinds of “ medicines,” calabashes, 
and a coarse knife depend from his neck to his 
shoulders. The figures at the door are generally 
called “ Ngolowanda.” 
It is said, I believe, of the Englishwoman— 
“ If she will, she will, you may depend on ’t; 
If she won’t, she won’t, and there’s an end on’t.” 
