The Strange Adventures of Andrew Battell, of Leigh, in Angola and the Adjoining RegionsBattell, Andrew
History
The Strange Adventures of Andrew Battell, of Leigh, in Angola and the Adjoining Regions
Battell, Andrew
Angola -- Discovery and exploration; Congo (Democratic Republic) -- Discovery and exploration
Elembe,[255] the great Iagge, brought with him twelve thousand of these
cruel monsters from Sierra Liona, and after much mischief and spoil
settled himself in Benguele,[256] twelve degrees from the Zone
southwards, and there breedeth and groweth into a nation. But Kelandula,
sometime his page, proceeds in that beastly life before mentioned, and
the people of Elembe, by great troops, run to him and follow his camp in
hope of spoil.
[_Human Sacrifices._]
They have no _fetissos_, or idols. The great Iagge, or Prince, is master
of all their ceremonies, and a great witch. I have seen this Kelandula
(sayth our author) continue a sacrifice from sun to sun, the rites
whereof are these: himself sat on a stool, in great pomp, with a cap
adorned with peacocks’ feathers (which fowls, in one country called
_Shelambanza_,[257] are found wild; and in one place, empaled about the
grave of the king, are fifty kept and fed by an old woman, and are
called _Ingilla Mokisso_, that is, Birds of Mokisso).[258] Now, about
him thus set, attended forty or fifty women, each of them waving
continually a zebra’s tail in their hands. There were also certain
Gangas, priests or witches. Behind them were many with drums and pipes,
and _pungas_[259] (certain instruments made of elephants’ teeth, made
hollow a yard and a half, and with a hole like a flute, which yield a
loud and harsh sound, that may be heard a mile off). These strike and
sound, and sing, and the women wave (as is said) till the sun be almost
down. Then they bring forth a pot, which is set on the fire with leaves
and roots, and the water therein, and with a kind of white powder the
witches or Gangas spot themselves, one on the one cheek, the other on
the other; and likewise their foreheads, temples, breasts, shoulders,
and bellies, using many enchanting terms, which are holden to be prayers
for victory. At sunset a Ganga brings his _Kissengula_,[260] or
war-hatchet, to the Prince (this weapon they use to wear at their
girdles) and putting the same in his hands bid him to be strong, [that]
their God goes with him, and he shall have victory. After this they
bring him four or five negroes, of which, with a terrible countenance,
the great Iagge with his hatchet kills two, and the other two are
killed without the fort. Likewise, five kine are slain within, and other
five without the fort; and as many goats and as many dogs, after the
same manner.
This is their sacrifice, at the end whereof all the flesh is, in a
feast, consumed. Andrew Battell was commanded to depart when the
slaughter begun, for their devil, or _Mokisso_ (as they said) would then
appear and speak to them.[261]
This sacrifice is called _Kissembula_[262] which they solemnise when
they undertake any great enterprise. There were few left of the natural
Iagges, but of this unnatural brood the present succession was raised.
[Illustration]
APPENDIX I.
ANTHONY KNIVET IN KONGO AND ANGOLA:
BEING
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