And now, on this my fifth furlough, the essay on Bantu Theology has grown to the proportions of this present volume. The conclusions contained in all these chapters are based on my own observations and investigations. Obligation is acknowledged to a number of writers on Africa and others, quotations from whose books are credited in the body of this work. I quote them, not as informants of something I did not already know, but as witnesses to the fact of the universality of the same superstitious ideas all over Africa. By the courtesy of the American Geographical Society, Chapters IV, V, X, and XI have appeared in its Bulletin during the years 1901-1903. I am especially obligated to Professor Libbey for his sympathetic encouragement during the writing of my manuscript, and for his judicious suggestions as to the final form I have given it. ROBERT HAMILL NASSAU PHILADELPHIA, _March 24, 1904_ CONTENTS PAGE CHAPTER I CONSTITUTION OF NATIVE AFRICAN SOCIETY--SOCIOLOGY 1 I. The Country 2 II. The Family 3 Family Responsibility.--Family Headship.--Marital Relations.--Arrangements for Marriage.--Courtship and Wedding.--Dissolution of Marriage.--Illegitimate Marital Relations.--Domestic Life. III. Succession to Property and Authority 13 IV. Political Organization 13 V. Servants 14 VI. Kingship 15 VII. Fetich Doctors 16 VIII. Hospitality 17 IX. Judicial System 17 Courts.--Punishment.--Blood-Atonement and Fines.-- Punishable Acts. X. Territorial Relations 22 Tenure.--Rights in Movables. XI. Exchange Relations 23 XII. Religion 25 CHAPTER II THE IDEA OF GOD--RELIGION 26 Theology, Religion, Creed, Worship.--Source of the Knowledge of God; outside of us; comes from God; Evolution of Physical Species.--Materialism; Knowledge of God not evolved.-- Superstition in all Religions.--Dominant in African Religion.--No People without a Knowledge of at least the Name of God.--Testimony of Travellers and Others. CHAPTER III POLYTHEISM--IDOLATRY 42