[229] This sentence is introduced on the authority of Duarte Lopez (Pigafetta, p. 22). The other tree referred to by Battell is the _mfuma_, or cotton-tree (see Tuckey, _Narrative_, p. 225). Dr. Falkenstein, however, affirms that the soft wood of the _baobab_ is that usually employed for making canoes (“dug-outs”). [230] Battell, I have no doubt, never employed the word “Bramas” (Bramanes in Portuguese, Brahmans). D. Lopez (Pigafetta) must be held responsible for the statement that the inhabitants of Loango were originally known as Bramas. Surely this cannot be (as supposed by Degrandpré) because of the red and yellow stripes with which the women in Loango paint their foreheads in honour of a certain fetish, and the similarity of these with the marks of the votaries of Siva in India. [231] Dr. Bastian (_Loango Expedition_, vol. i, pp. 158, 202, 232) mentions offerings of this kind. Thus the skull of an animal killed in the chase is placed before the fetish. [232] _Mbongo_, cloth (Bentley’s _Dictionary_). [233] See note, p. 35. [234] Restrictions upon the use of certain articles of food are imposed by the doctor (_nganga_), even before the child is born (_mpangu_), and upon the sick (_konko_). The things forbidden to be eaten are called _nlongo_, and it is believed that a disregard of this taboo entails most disastrous consequences (Bentley, _Dictionary_, pp. 353, 389). In Loango things forbidden are called _Shin_, or _thina_ (Dennett, _Folk-Lore_, p. 138). [235] Any place guarded by a “charm,” such as a shell, a bit of cloth, or the like, is respected by the natives as being protected by the _nkishi_ (Dennett, _Folk-Lore_, pp. 6, 18). [236] See note, p. 48. [237] This bell is called _Shi-Ngongo_, and the Maloango alone is allowed to order it to be struck. Thus, when a messenger is sent round the town, striking this _Shi-Ngongo_, the people know that it is the voice of Maloango which speaketh. It is thus quite likely that a thief, under these circumstances, should be frightened into restoring stolen property. (From a letter by Mr. Dennett.) See also note, p. 20. [238] See p. 59. [239] _Ndoke_, or _ndoki_, witchcraft, sorcerer. [240] A misprint for _Libata_, village. [241] See p. 48. [242] _Munsa_, should be _inzo_ or _nzo_, a house (see also note, p. 49). [243] _Nkishi ngolo_, a strong _nkishi_. [244] Marginal note by Purchas: “This seemeth to be Red Sanders. A. Battell saith it is logwood.” Purchas is right! _Tacula_ is Red Sanders (_Pterocarpus tinctorius_). [245] _Nkwa_, the possessor of a thing or quality; _akwa_, possessed of. [246] Compare p. 56, where we are told that a fetish called _Maramba_ (_Morumba_), stood in the town of the Mani Yumba. [247] Evidently a misprint for Mayumba. [248] Another version of this address will be found on p. 56.