divided the dega into a number of balls, one of which he distributed to every person present. And inquiry was then made, if any person in the town was dangerously sick, it being usual, in such cases, to send the party a large portion of the dega; which is thought to possess great medical virtues.[1]
Among the Negroes every individual, besides his own proper name, has likewise a kontong, or surname, to denote the family or clan to which he belongs. Some of these families are very numerous and powerful. It is impossible to enumerate the various kontongs which are found in different parts of the country; though the knowledge of many of them is of great service to the traveller: for as every Negro plumes himself upon the importance, or the antiquity of his clan, he is much flattered when he is addressed by his kontong.
Salutations among the Negroes to each other, when they meet, are always observed; but those in most general use among the Kafirs, are Abbe haeretto – E ning seni
D d 2
- ↑ Soon after baptism, the children are marked in different parts of the skin, in a manner resembling what is called tattowing in the South-sea Islands.
