The fetish folk of West Africa

John Stuart Mill · en
The chief was disgusted at the suggestion of a peaceful settlement of
the affair, and passionately cried for war; and the people eagerly
responded. The most that Amvama could do was to hold the Christians firm
to their duty. As the chief exhorted Amvama exhorted too, but without
the least passion or excitement. The town was divided between these two:
an old chief, the very embodiment of the heathenism of the past; and the
young boy, representing the future—the authority of a Christ-enlightened
conscience and the power of a Christian life. The heathen went to war;
but the Christians refused to go and so broke with an immemorial custom.

They attacked the town of the Bifil, but the only result was that
several of their own men were killed. The Bifil secured the body of one
of them, and it was reported to me that they followed the interior
custom and cut the body in pieces, sending a piece of it to each of
their towns. If they did this it would be a call to arms. The pieces of
the body would be boiled and eaten, and thus it would become a strong
fetish protection against the enemy. The people of Ndumentanga returned
home from the war with sore hearts and with less faith in their
fetishes.

The war went on more desperately and it became unsafe for Amvama; so I
went after him and brought him back to Baraka. But he returned from the
field of his labours bringing his sheaves with him, in men and women
rescued from degradation and sin, and in the love of many.

[Illustration:

  FANG CHRISTIANS.

  In the middle of the front row stands Amvama. Behind him, on his
    right, is Ndong Koni. The tall young man is Robert Boardman, the
    blind catechist.
]

When I left Africa I felt that I was leaving many friends behind me;
humble friends but true, and I cherish the memory of their devotion.
Some of them I loved because they were lovable, and others for the
labour and anxiety expended upon them—the sweat of the brow, and the
brain and the heart. But there were none whom I loved more, and there
are none whom I more often long to see, than Amvama and Ndong Koni.