The
seed-bead was till lately unknown; fifteen to twenty strings make
the "bunch." There is not much tattooing amongst the men, except
on the shoulders, whilst the women prefer the stomach; the
gandin, however, disfigures himself with powdered cam-wood, mixed
with butter-nut, grease, or palm oil--a custom evidently derived
from the coast-tribes. Each has his "Ndese," garters and armlets
of plaited palm fibre, and tightened by little cross-bars of
brass; they are the "Hibas" which the Bedawin wear under their
lower articulations as preservatives against cramp. Lastly, a
Fetish horn hangs from the breast, and heavy copper rings
encumber the wrists and ankles. Though unskilful in managing
canoes--an art to be learned, like riding and dancing, only in
childhood--many villagers affect to walk about with a paddle,
like the semi-aquatic Kru-men. Up country it is said they make
rafts which are towed across the stream by ropes, when the
swiftness of the current demands a ferry. The women are still
afraid of the canoe.
All adult males carry arms, and would be held womanish if they
were seen unweaponed.
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