Preface

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA LIBRARIES
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011
http://www.archive.org/details/westafricansecreOObutt
WEST AFRICAN SECRET SOCIETIES
DOCTOR OF THE EKONGOLA SOCIETY
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WEST AFRICAN SECRET SOCIETIES
THEIR ORGANISATIONS, OFFICIALS AND TEACHING
BY
Captain F. W. BUTT - THOMPSON
Author of " Sierra Leone in History and
Tradition," "Black Magic," " King Peters
of Sierra Leone "
ILLUSTRATED FROM PHOTOGRAPHS AND SKETCHES BY THE AUTHOR
H. F. & G. WITHERBY
326 High Holborn London W.C.i 1929
First Published 1929
Printed for Messrs. H. F. & G. Wilherby by the Library Press, Lowestoft
To The
District Commissioners
working in
West Africa
for whom there should be instituted a
New Order,
that of the
"KNIGHTS OF AFRICA"
FOREWORD
It is with a deep sense of obligation that I return thanks to all those who have so splendidly helped in the making of this book, especially to those Colonial Secretaries and Directors of Education, Provincial and District Commissioners and Secretaries for Native Affairs with whom I have had, as yet, no association other than their courteous and inform- ative correspondence. I also wish to add my thanks for the encouragement extended to me of my publishers.
Amongst the illustrations is one photograph taken by my friend, A. M. Duggan-Cronin of Kimber- ley. It is published by permission of the Trustees of the McGregor Museum of that city, through the personal interest and kindness of the Curator of that institution, a lady widely known for her accom- plishments and graciousness, and is one of the many pictures Mr. Duggan-Cronin has taken of native African life. Others of his gift will be published if ever I find courage to tackle the labour of putting into- book-form my notes on the secret societies of the eastern and southern parts of the continent.
Once again I acknowledge the hospitality of the columns of West Africa, made possible by the good- will of the Editor, Albert Cartwright ; and the skill and patience of another friend, J. H. Parkinson, D.Ph., M.A., B.Sc, in correcting typescripts and proofs.
My one desire in this work has been to record something of the old tribal discipline and society organisation of West Africa, now slowly but surely
8 FOREWORD
passing, and to do this as far as possible without an attempt " to point a moral or adorn a tale." It is an effort all too incomplete, but it may help some- body else to do better. For all mistakes and omissions I apologise. The words that some will consider incorrectly spelled may serve to enforce the need there is for some standardization in the spelling of West African place- and tribal-names.
In answer to the statement made recently that African native secret societies are " abolished and almost forgotten," I have only to refer to the issue of West Africa for December i, 1928, in which there will be found references to the present activities of societies in Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and the Gold Coast.
For the convenience of the reader I have through- out the book put the titles of the societies into capitals.
F. W. B.-T.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER FAGB
I HISTORY
Descriptive Note — Muhammedan Societies — Muham- medan-Pagan Societies — Pagan Societies — History of Pagan Societies — Grouping of Pagan Societies . . 13
II ORGANISATION
Headquarters — Houses for Initiates — Chapels — Mem- bership— Membership Grades — Membership Fees . 21
III MINOR OFFICIALS
Variety of Appointments — Official Dress — Champions — Executioners — Law Officers — Messengers — Magicians — Astrologers — Diviners . , . • 37
IV SOCIETY DOCTORS
Their Training — Their Duties — "Smelling Out" — Charm- makers — Superintending Ordeals — Their Skill — Their Medicines — Their Magic Potions . . -55
V THE SUPREME OFFICIALS
The Council — The Head — The Idea Behind Him — His Election — His Duties — His Disguise . . .71
VI CELEBRATIONS
Festivals — Remembrance of the Dead — New Birth — and Fertility Rites — Purification Rites — Harvest Festivals — Processions — Dances — Dance Costumes . . 86
VII INITIATION
Sacred Enclosures — Rounding up the Novices — Society " Death " — Society " Resurrection " — Adult Initiation — Circumcision and Excision — Vows of Allegiance . 107
VIII RETREAT LIFE
Society Foods — Ordeals — Relaxations — Lessons — Obj ect and Model — Natural History and Botany — Law and Land Debates — Meaning of Tabu and Fetish — Folklore — Tribal Customs .... . . 131
9
lo CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
IX SOCIETY NAMES AND LANGUAGES
Society Names — ^New Language — Society Songs — Illustrations of use . . . . .148
X SOCIETY VOICES AND SIGNS
Oracles — Bull-roarers — Shouts — Horn Language — Drum Language — Other Voices — Message Writing — Members' Signs — ^Society Signs — Staves and Batons . . 157
XI RELIGIOUS TEACHING
The Theology of the Schools — A Supreme Deity — Messenger Gods — Tribal Gods — Family Guardians — Com- panion Spirits — ^The Imps, Sprites and Fairies — After- Death Spirits . . . . .180
XII ETHICAL TEACHING AND THE NEW LIFE
Teaching concerning Adultery, Theft and Murder — Respect to Elders and Chiefs — Co-operation — Courage — Sympathy — Manliness — ^The Closing Scenes — Home- ward Processions — Privileges of Young Initiates — Some Impressions . . . . .204
XIII THE OLDER SOCIETIES
Muhammedan Societies — Muhammedan-Pagan Societies
— Pagan Law -God Societies . , . .218
XIV THE MORE MODERN SOCIETIES
Priestly Associations — Prohibition Societies — Protective Societies — Purification Societies — Agricultural Associa- tions— Co-operative Societies — Dance, Play and Sports Clubs — Political Societies — Social Organisations — ^Trade Guilds — War Clubs — Subversive and Criminal 243
BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 287
INDEX ....... 295
LIST OF PLATES
Doctor of the Ekongola Society
An Official Diviner
Doctor of the Bili Society
Doctor of the Ekongola Society
The Lubuku Snake Dance .
A Si'mo Sacred Place
Mannekeh Circumcision Mask
A Chibados Guardian
A BuNDU Tutor of Fifty Years Ago
Kaloko Ceremonial Dress
Mannekeh Officials Representing Imp Deities .
Mannekeh Sanko
Bundu Tutors
Frontispiece
Facing page 50
„ 56
„ 62
„ 98
„ 108
,, 122
„ 132
» 142
„ 150
„ 192
„ 198
.. 206
MAP
Sketch Map illustrating " West African Secret Societies "
Facing page 13
SKETCH MAP.
(Illustrating " West African Secret Societies.
DAKAR BATHUR5T
KONAKRY FREETOWN MOr^ROV)
GRAND BP^^'^^'lc'
1. MOROCCO.
2. AI,GERIA.
3. RIO DE ORG.
4. SENEGAL.
5. GAMBIA.
6. FRENCH GUINEA.
7. SIERRA LEONE.
8. LIBERIA.
9. IVORY COAST. 10. GOLD COAST, n. DAHOMEY.
12. NIGERIA.
13. FRENCH CON'GO.
14. SPANLSH GUINEA.
15. ANGOLA.
16. BELGIAN CONGO.
17. UPPER SENEGAL.
18. UPPER VOLT A.