[173] Neither Mr. Dennett, nor one of the officials in the French Colonial Office, thoroughly acquainted with the language, has been able to make sense out of this sentence. The latter suggests _Ku Kwiza bukie lika_, “I come for the truth!” For another version of this appeal, see p. 83. The sentence is evidently very corrupt. [174] Circumcision is common in some districts, but no magical or mystic influence is ascribed to it (Bentley). [175] For an account of the initiation into the guild called _Ndembo_, see Bentley’s _Dictionary_, p. 506. [176] The custom of prohibiting certain food to be eaten, etc., is very common. _Mpangu_ is the name for this taboo in the case of new-born infants; _Konko_, a taboo imposed in connection with an illness. The thing tabooed is called _nlongo_ (Bentley). [177] This refers no doubt to Sette, the river of which enters the sea in 2° 23´ S. The capital of the same name being fifty miles up it. Barwood is still exported, but no logwood. [178] His modern representative seems to be the Mani Kasoche on the Upper Ngonga, who was visited by Güssfeldt. [179] Not to be taken literally, for Cão certainly touched at this bay. [180] The usual designation for “Dwarf” is _mbaka_ or _kimbakabaka_ (the diminutive of _mbaka_), but _Batumba_ (with which Battell’s _matimba_ seems to be identical) is likewise applied to a dwarf person or thing (Bentley). In Angola, _Matumbu_ means a far-off, unknown country (Cordeiro da Matta). Compare note, p. 52. [181] “Marombos” seems to be a misprint for Mayumbas (see note, p. 55). [182] The Mamboma is a sort of home secretary. He buries the Maloango, and summons the princes for the election of a successor. _Mboma_ is the black python; _boma_ means fear. Hence the title has been translated “Lord of Terror.”