NOVEL WEST AFRICAN CUSTOM.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 142, 17 June 1899, Page 4 (Supplement)

NOVEL WEST AFRICAN CUSTOM.

The great war chief of Ibadan, tola by name, recently died, and* tb;9 recent mail advices record the BlectiOrt of his successor amid the plaudits-. :<tf ■ over 10,000 natives, with their War drums, tom-toms, flfeS, ahd other native 'muaiG.' Ibadan is an immense town of- the; Yoruba tribe. It is ih"the L. gOS :Protectorate, and has now a British- reS!-* dent, though only a feW years back-it was a great slave centre. The Bale/ or King, arrayed in a fancy red velvet gown, with trousers, and wearing a sit-' * ver tinselled cap and woollen slippers, appeared outside his compound, seated On a native caroet, to' instal the war • chief, who is called a Balbgun, and flV*- ' other chiefs. When the staff' or seep- ' tre arrived . ■ • ' ■ . . THE CHIEFS PROSTRATED THEM- '". SELVES ... before the Bale, who, in a deep toned voice addressed, those present. Before the British took over the territory the installation of war chief wasi always &c ~ \ companied by fighting and serious bloodshed. The speech of the king is re-, : markable as showing the rule of the British, and the native compliance with it. He said to the assembled 10,000 or 12,000 natives:—'Te people of Thadan and. my countrymen—You will, remember It. has been a long time since we gathered, as this in performing the customs ana traditions of our forefathers. It affords me great pleasure to be able this, day to discharge what I consider, is a pare . of my duty at such ah event. You are all fully aware of the death of. the .^e^ Balogun Akitola,; which took piae'e a.ievr .. days ago. By. the kind permission of thft British Government we are allowed still to carry on the customs of our country, but not as we used to in days .gone by, for the time of war is passed for ever, and which we hope will never kk turn. I thank God and Her Majesty's'-,•■ Government for the peace that is now, pervading our country and all Yoruba* land. The chiefs that are to be in-; . stalled this day must bear in mind that M they are to be- , .

FAITIHFUL TO THEIR CHARGE In serving their country, and to co->oper? ate with me in every good cause that will: tend to the elevation of their land as a. race and loyal friends of the British Go^. vernment. I must impress upon you to cease to do each other harm, not to enter into any private league with a view to play intrigue. You will be li. hie to render yourself to severe punishment by the Resident if at any time you commit an offence at your own risk. 'Xou must, respond to the Resident's call at any time he may have a desire to have an interview with you without my notice-. I am a servant of the Government. of Lagos and the Residency, so that you may all take warning to do what i» right and just so long as our Hva3.,are spared.' The Bale then, amidst, th^ : deafening cheers of thousands of native .; duly installed the chiefs,