Fetichism in West Africa : $b forty years' observation of native customs and superstitionsNassau, Robert Hamill
Philosophy
Fetichism in West Africa : $b forty years' observation of native customs and superstitions
Nassau, Robert Hamill
Ethnology -- Africa, West; Fetishism -- Africa, West
The teacher must be quick to imitate, in this her second "degree" or
passage through the rites, the rapid motions of the skilled older one who
is teaching her and her new recruit.
In order to increase the severity, the pupil, though she may be already
wearied, is required to repeat her dance before every newcomer or
spectator. The teacher will start the beat of the orěga and take a few
steps of the dance, and then stop and rest comfortably, the tired pupil
taking the orěga and continuing the dance.
If pupils are sulky or shy, their teacher and other older members will
scold them: "Go on! dance! You may not stand or rest there! Go on! You!
this girl with your awkwardness! Do you own the Njěmbě?" Sometimes a
pupil is sulky or stubborn, or, disheartened, begins to cry. No mercy is
shown her. Others, in anxiously trying to follow motions, will make absurd
mistakes, and bring down on themselves the derision of the spectators.
Some pupils really like the dancing, and endeavor to learn quickly. Such
as these are praised: "This one knows, and she will some day be a
teacher."
It is expected that the relatives of the pupils will be present and
encourage them with some little gifts.
It is remarkable how well the secrets of the society are kept. No one has
ever been induced to reveal them. Those who have left the society and have
become Christians do not tell. Foreigners have again and again tried to
bribe, but in vain. Traders and others have tried to induce their native
wives to reveal; but these women, obedient to any extent on all other
matters, maintain a stubborn silence. Nothing is known outside of the
society of their doings in their camp, except that they are all naked, lay
aside all modesty, make personal examinations of each other's bodies, sing
phallic songs, and indulge in the hardest, severest, and most violent
insults and curses heaped up in assumed wrath as jokes on each other. It
is really a school in which to learn the fine art of using insults and
curses which will be utilized outside the society, upon other persons on
occasions of real anger. No man can equal these women in their volubility
and bitter tirades when really angry. It is Billingsgate in its glory.
After keeping up the ceremonies for a number of days, the society chooses
one for their "last." The day preceding it, they go out in procession with
baskets, kettles, and basins, from village to village, still singing, the
song being adapted for their errand of begging, and still beating the
orěga, to get offerings of food, or gifts of rum, tobacco, plates, and
cloth. (In a civilized religious worship this would be the taking up of
the collection.) At each village on their route any member of the society
will direct one of the new pupils to dance, as an exhibition of her
recently acquired ability. She does not hesitate, but asks, "Which dance?"
The teacher replies, "I will show you," and starting a few steps measured,
she stops, and the designated pupil takes it up.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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