File:The Sherbro and its hinterland (1901) (14760297996).jpg

Identifier: sherbroitshinter00alld (find matches)
Title: The Sherbro and its hinterland
Year: 1901 (1900s)
Authors: Alldridge, T. J. (Thomas Joshua), 1847-1916
Subjects:
Publisher: London, New York : Macmillan and Co., limited New York, The Macmillan Company
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Internet Archive

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ntly cleared and the groundcleaned. The opening to the Big Bush is rudely con-structed of palm leaves, the entrance being through leafybowers, and the aperture serving for a doorway, hung withcountry mats. Inside, the place is separated into com-partments similarly divided by palm leaves—that entrancealso being hung with mats. The whole is beneath thedense and overspreading foliage of high trees, and is knownas the Poro bush, or Kamehra. Upon the candidateapplying to the first entrance for admission to thefraternity he is met by a Wuja, or messenger, who ison the opposite side of the mat within the enclosure. TheWuja asks, Who is there ? —quickly putting such im-possible questions as : Could you bring water in a basket ?Could you root up a full grown palm tree with your hands ? The novice having previously been instructed, replies yesto each question. The Wuja then thrusts his handforward by the side of the mat, takes the new comer byhis right hand and pretends to draw him inside.
Text Appearing After Image:
V\^. 39. —Skrknadinc—A Soloist.UriT.u ^^K^•I)I. (Ili^c- 122.) XIII SECRET SOCIETIES 127 This is repeated three times, and at each attempt thenovice puts out his right foot, and at the fourth time he issuccessfully drawn inside. While this is taking place thePoro boys inside in attendance upon the Wuja are creatinga pandemonium by the beating of tom-toms, and theblowing of horns. When he has entered the noise ceases,and the Wuja calls out that the initiate has come in ; allshout with gladness, and give the new brother a heartywelcome. This being done payment begins, and theinitiate hands over to the Wuja about eight leaves oftobacco. He is then taken to the entrance mat of thenext division. The Wuja goes behind that mat andrepeats the same process. The initiate gives abouttwelve or sixteen leaves of tobacco, and is drawn inside.The Wuja has now finished his part of the business andhands the boy over to one of the head law-givers in thePoro bush—who, after imparting certain info

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