Alikori succeeded his father Aseri who had no brothers, the present heir apparent is named Waller Mari.
Beris.All Beris stated they have no connection whatever with the Beir tribe opposite Bor[102] and say they have no other district but Jebel Lafol. From the top of it one can see 50 miles or more in the Bor direction; there did not seem to be any roads and no hills were visible. All tribes in these parts live on hills.
Cultivation.The cultivation on the vast plain lying round the hill consists of dura, tobacco, and a few ground nuts only. The dura was about a foot high and appeared to be well looked after and the ground cleaned.
Trade.The only trade is the purchase of dura for sheep, carried on principally with the Lokova on Mount Illyria and a little with our Bari Sheikhs Lado, Lowala, etc., on the Nile.
Enemies.The present fashionable enemy is the Latuka tribe belonging to Queen Topein—relations with other powers are reported as satisfactory.
Population.The population probably amounts to about 3,000 men all told.
Health.People seem very healthy, quite the opposite of the Baris; no disgusting sights like one sees in their villages; malformed children are destroyed at birth. Sleeping sickness is unknown.
Legal.All disciplinary powers are vested in the chief. For premeditated murder punishment is death. For killing in quarrel, etc., the offender must pay a boy to the family of the deceased. Thefts of cattle must be repaid or the offender is exiled. Thefts of food are not looked upon as offences but as occasional necessities. For adultery the co-respondent must pay 1 cow, 5 sheep and 5 iron malotes (hoes); the wife is dealt with by her husband in the seclusion of the home, but must not be killed.
Customs.The birth of a child does not give an excuse for a festival of any sort.
Marriages are arranged when the girls are very young. The bridegroom interviews his proposed father-in-law, as in other countries, and arranges to pay so many sheep a year until the lady reaches a marriageable age. The ceremony is then celebrated amid much merissa drinking. Divorce is allowed to husbands only; if granted they receive back their marriage settlement. A widow marries her deceased husband’s brother; if she has no brother-in-law she may marry someone else, but she usually becomes the property of the head chief.