File:Africa and its inhabitants (1899) (14596877950).jpg

Identifier: africaitsinhabit02recl (find matches)
Title: Africa and its inhabitants
Year: 1899 (1890s)
Authors: Reclus, Elisée, 1830-1905 Keane, A. H. (Augustus Henry), 1833-1912
Subjects: Ethnology
Publisher: London : J.S. Virtue
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Internet Archive

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atered by the Nkheni and the Leiini. They even cross to the left side of the Congo south of Kwa mouth, and their domain is altogether scarcely less extensive than that of the Bu-Banghi, although the several tribes differ greatly one from the other. The Ba-Teke of the plateaux present marked contrasts to the Bu-Banghi, both in physical appearance and social usages. They are less robust, of smaller stature and less stout, most of them being so very thin that they have been compared to walking skeletons. They are remarkably frugal, a little manioc and a few grubs or insects picked upon the way sufficing to support them even on the march. The women carry long sticks, furnished at the extremity with a little raw hemp, which serves to catch THE BA-TEKE. •I7<J the grasshoppers, the Ea-Tekc food, as they are called. Insects are taken by firing the grass, and the Ea-Teke are also partial to smoked toads, although jirefer- Fig. 245,—Inhabitants of the French Congo Scale 1 : 70,000, (100. 0-Zsngs
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lla!;t pf^ (_..-f.en>vii.>^ I.O Milm. ring to all other meat the roasted larv. of certain species of l.u.torfl • In u of war they also still practise cannibalise, eating the c.p.n.a and «Um ^ l^.U^ . Despite their frugal faro the Bu-Teke are brave .orkcr.. taking thexr ^ur. with 48J WEST AFRICA. the women in field operations, and raising crops of manioc, millet, maize, sugar, ground-nuts, and tobacco. The women are much respected, being allowed to speak in the public assemblies, and making their voices heard on all important occasions. The group of habitations, well kept and usually perched on some eminence, has its cluster of palms, whose size indicates the age of the settlement. The foliage of these palms serves to manufacture the native loin-cloths, as well as the robes of larger dimensions worn by the chiefs. From other varieties they extract oil and■\vine; but, like the Bu-Banghi and Ba-Yanzi, the Ba-Teke at last kill these valuable plants, which when leafless and of a sombre

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