Barotseland : $b eight years among the BarotseStirke, D. E. C.
History
Barotseland : $b eight years among the Barotse
Stirke, D. E. C.
Western Province (Zambia)
The Barozi themselves have no form of blood brotherhood. They have a
custom called “making a friendship” (ku ikeza bulikani). One man calls
another to his house and tells him he wishes to be friends with him. If
the other party agrees, the first man gives the other a small present.
On the return of the second man to his house a return present is sent.
This makes the friendship binding. After that if the first man is in
trouble or need, he runs to his friend and the friend supplies him if
possible, with what he needs or assists him to the best of his ability.
Anything a man lets his friend have is a gift, and there is no obligation
of returning it or its value, the only obligation that remains is that
of help in the event of his friend wanting it. The subordinate tribes
have a proper form of blood brotherhood. It is practised amongst men
only. The two who wish to make the brotherhood get two cups of beer.
Small incisions are made on the chest and a drop or two of blood is
squeezed from the incisions into the beer. Each man takes the other’s cup
and drinks it, they then swear never to hate each other, never to kill
one another should they meet in battle, and never to be angry with one
another. It is believed that a man who kills his blood brother will die
of leprosy.
[Illustration: Mat-makers, with Mats for Sale
Photo by J. Walton, Esq.]
[Illustration: A Mambalangwe Family
Photo by Mrs. Cambell]
There is a marriage custom that exists among certain of the subordinate
tribes in Baroziland. When a woman is pregnant a man, generally an
acquaintance of hers or of her husband, will go up to her and place his
hand on her stomach, at the same time addressing his remarks to the
unborn child: “You within, if you are a woman, shall be my wife, but
if you are a man, you shall be my friend.” When the woman is delivered
this prophecy is carried out. There is, however, no record of what would
happen if there were twins. This custom is probably learnt from the
Batoka, but the Barozi do not practise it.
Another custom, also existing among certain of the subordinate tribes,
is the obligation of a man to give a younger sister or cousin to his
son-in-law, should the son-in-law’s wife die or be childless. But if it
is only a case of sterility the elder woman returns home to her father,
as the marriage of two sisters to one man at the same time is not
tolerated.
CHAPTER VI.
Barozi Riddles and Conundrums.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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