[Human Sacrifices.]
They have no fetissos, or idols. The great Iagge, or Prince, is master of all their ceremonies, and a great witch. I have seen this Kelandula (sayth our author) continue a sacrifice from sun to sun, the rites whereof are these: himself sat on a stool, in great pomp, with a cap adorned with peacocks’ feathers (which fowls, in one country called Shelambanza,[257] are found wild; and in one place, empaled about the grave of the king, are fifty kept and fed by an old woman, and are called Ingilla Mokisso, that is, Birds of Mokisso).[258] Now, about him thus set, attended forty or fifty women, each of them waving continually a zebra’s tail in their hands. There were also certain Gangas, priests or witches. Behind them were many with drums and pipes, and pungas[259] (certain instruments made of elephants’ teeth, made hollow a yard and a half, and with a hole like a flute, which yield a loud and harsh sound, that may be heard a mile off). These strike and sound, and sing, and the women wave (as is said) till the sun be almost down. Then they bring forth a pot, which is set on the fire with leaves and roots, and the water therein, and with a kind of white powder the witches or Gangas spot themselves, one on the one cheek, the other on the other; and likewise their foreheads, temples, breasts, shoulders, and bellies, using many enchanting terms, which are holden to be prayers for victory. At sunset a Ganga brings his Kissengula,[260] or war-hatchet, to the Prince (this weapon they use to wear at their girdles) and putting the same in his hands bid him to be strong, [that] their God goes with him, and he shall have victory. After this they bring him four or five negroes, of which, with a terrible countenance, the great Iagge with his hatchet kills two, and the other two are killed without the fort. Likewise, five kine are slain within, and other five without the fort; and as many goats and as many dogs, after the same manner.
This is their sacrifice, at the end whereof all the flesh is, in a feast, consumed. Andrew Battell was commanded to depart when the slaughter begun, for their devil, or Mokisso (as they said) would then appear and speak to them.[261]
This sacrifice is called Kissembula[262] which they solemnise when they undertake any great enterprise. There were few left of the natural Iagges, but of this unnatural brood the present succession was raised.
