File:The Sherbro and its hinterland (1901) (14760302876).jpg

Identifier: sherbroitshinter00alld (find matches)
Title: The Sherbro and its hinterland
Year: 1901 (1900s)
Authors: Alldridge, T. J. (Thomas Joshua), 1847-1916
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Publisher: London, New York : Macmillan and Co., limited New York, The Macmillan Company
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Internet Archive

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ir costumes. The Bundu girls arelikewise followed by their female relations, who hold up asmall branch of leaves in each hand, as they proceedsinging to the music of the sehguras, played by thesehgura musicians. No men must take any part in theceremony although they may look on from the houses_The girls are then brought down to the water side, andthose who are leaving the bush are washed in themedicinal concoction of herbs and leaves which hasalready been prepared and conveyed there. This beingfinished they are taken back to the town and are locatedin the chiefs barri or court-house under the surveillance ofthe big women of the place, and their female relations forthree days and nights ; after this they are at liberty toleave and go where they please, some of the parents beingin attendance to receive them. THE BUNDU DEVIL The Bundu devil is a medicine woman who is believedto be capable of casting spells for good or evil over themen. There is generally a Bundu devil in any large town m
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I il;. 47. liii. l;i,ML l-)i.\ii., Lrii.K -Ml. XIV SECRET SOCIETIES 141 belonging to an important chief; but she does not appearin her pecuHar costume unless she is especially called outto look into some misbehaviour on the part of the men, orupon some gala occasion, or upon the visit of strangerswhom it is wished to honour. I had myself manyopportunities of observing this remarkable personage—who naturally inspires the people with much awe andcommands the very greatest respect from all classes. Herdistinctive costume is unvarying, all Bundu devils beingsimilarly attired, except as regards their head-piece, whichadmits of some slight variation. No part of the bodymay be visible, consequently the cloth casings of the armsand legs are sewn up at the extremities, and in eachcovered hand the devil carries a little bunch of twigs withwhich she goes through a sort of dumb show—as shenever does any talking. Her dress is of long shaggy fibre^dyed black, and over her head she wears a grote

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