"The Wagogo believe in the existence of a God, or sky spirit, whom they call Mulungu. Their prayers are generally directed to him when their parents die. A Wagogo, after he has consigned his father to the grave, collects his father's chattels together, his cloth, his ivory, his knife, his jeinbe (hoe), his bows and arrows, his spear and his cattle, and kneels before them, repeating a wish that Mulungu would increase his worldly wealth, that he would bless his labors and make him successful in trade. They venerate, and often perform a dance in honor of the moon.
"The following conversation occurred between myself and a Wagogo trader:
"'Who do you suppose made your parents?'
"'Why, Mulungu, white man.'
"'Well, who made you?'
"'If God made my father, God made me, didn't He?'
"'That's very good. Where do you suppose your father has gone to, now that he is dead?'
"'The dead die,' said he, solemnly, 'they are no more. The sultan dies, he becomes nothing—he is then no better than a dead dog; he is finished, his words are finished—there are no words from him. It is true,' he added, seeing a smile on my face, 'the sultan becomes nothing. He who says other words is a liar. There.'
"'But then he is a very great man, is he not?'