File:The Sherbro and its hinterland (1901) (14783295885).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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aconsiderable noise. The Tassos do not dance, that part of the ceremonybeing undertaken by the Laka and his followers, who aresubordinate to the Tassos. It is only necessary for oneLaka to be present in attendance upon several Tassos.The Laka in this instance will be noticed standing tothe right, shield in hand, having his black body bedaubedwith large white spots. Grouped at the back of him arehis boys, to the number of about fifty, who are ready torush madly round the town, headed by the Laka, to notifythe people what is about to take place, call them together,or warn them to get into their houses. If a Tasso dies in a town, he must not be interred there,but in the bush, as the law is that no woman must lookupon a dead Tasso. When one dies in a town, a Poro,or law, is immediately placed upon that town compellingthe women to withdraw from it until the burying is over.Poro law is so imperative that the inhabitants of a towncan be sent into the bush in a few minutes ; but it occasion-
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XIII SECRET SOCIETIES 133 ally happens that natural curiosity will induce a woman tosecrete herself, and thereby, in disobedience to the Porolaw, become acquainted with some of the mysteries of thePoro. The superstitious belief in such cases is that sick-ness follows, and during her illness the woman confesses toa Tor-Tor Behmor, or country fashion man, who reportsit to the Soko—another head man of the Poro. Afterconsultation, the Poro devil is sent out to seize her, and sheis taken to the Poro bush; fines are imposed upon thewomans family or husband, if she has any, before anythingcan be done in the matter. When they are paid she receivesPoro treatment, and after she has got well she is initiatedinto the Poro order, in the same way as a man and receivesthe name of Mabori. She is then considered to be bothman and woman, and, although she may be married, shehas various broad privileges, and whatever she may do shecannot have what is known as woman palaver given toher for what otherwi

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