[148] Ensaka, according to D. Lopez (Pigafetta), a stuff resembling velvet.
[149] The Ndamba is no drum, as understood by Purchas, but a musical instrument made out of a piece of palm stem, about 4 or 5 ft. long. This is split down one side, the soft centre is then scooped out, and the edges of the split cut into notches. By rubbing these notches energetically with a stick, a loud rasping noise is produced (Monteiro, Angola, vol. ii, p. 139: Cordeiro da Matta, Diccionario, p. 118).
[150] An ivory trumpet (see note, p. 15).
[151] Battell seems to be mistaken. Mr. Dennett informs me that Maloango as Ngangu nvumbu (see note 44) collects the offerings of his people, and sends them with a petition for rain to the great rain-doctor, Nganga m Bunzi, in Ngoyo. He has never heard that Maloango had usurped the functions of the great rain-doctor by shooting an arrow to the sky. Abbé Proyart (Hist. de Loango, c. 13), says that the Maloango being desirous of not committing himself, orders one of his ministers to make rain.
[152] Mr. Dennett tells me that Ndundu when born are thrown into the bush. During his long residence in Africa he has only seen one, and that was at Kinsembo, eighteen years ago. Proyart (Histoire de Loango, Paris, 1819, p. 150) says that these albinos are held higher than the Gangas, are looked upon almost as “divine,” and that their hair is valued as giving protection against accidents. See also p. [81.]
[153] Mukishi à Loango, the fetish or “charm” of Loango. Checocke is identical with Dapper’s Kikoko (Africa, Amsterdam, 1671, p. 535). Dapper’s account is not derived from Battell.
[154] According to Mr. Bentley, hysteria is very common in this country. For the account of the ravings of a witch-doctor, see Pioneering, vol. i, p. 271.
[155] Mr. Dennett informs me that the underground speaking fetish in Loango is at the present time called Boio, and is found at Chilunga. He suggests that Ngumbiri may be a river spirit, or Nkishi from the country north of Mayumba. Dr. Bastian paid a visit to the holy place of the underground oracle of Ngoio near Moanda, known as Mbunzi, which only speaks on the accession of a king, whom he instructs as to his royal duties (Die Deutsche Expedition, vol. i, p. 85, 223).
[156] The mami (mwana, or princes) mentioned by Battell are those of Chibanga, Selanganga (of the family of the Petra Praia of Kenga), Mbuku, and Kaya, in Chikamba. (R. E. Dennett, on the law of succession, see note on p. 44.)
[157] Mani Lombe is a man’s name: at least, at the present time, and is never given to a woman. It means “One who is peaceful and quiet.” No special name or title is borne by the mother of the successors of Maloango (R. E. Dennett); but as Lumbu means stockade, palace, or chiefs house, Battell may have mistaken a word applied to this woman’s residence for that of her title. Lombo means a person supposed to be an incarnation of a shimbi, or water-fairy.