RAINMAKERS’ TRIALS
AFRICAN NATIVES’ GRIM METHODS. Sydney, Marek 8. Primitive customs of tribes to tha east of the Great Lakes of tropical Africa were described by Mr. C. F. Gordon, who arrived in Sydney by the steamer Barrabool yesterday. He was formerly in the Indian Civil Service, and has been taking moving pictures since his retirement. Mr Gordon said that his 11 trips into the country between Portuguese East Africa and the junction of the Blue Nile and White Nile had enabled him to understand the natives. Customs which often appeared strange and inconsequent to Europeans were based on special conditions, and their observance had helped the natives in their struggle for survival. An example of mordant humour was quoted by Mr. Gordon. Every tribe outside civilisation had its witch-doc-tor, who was given special rights, as he was believed to be in touch with tho spirits of the jungle. His path was not easy, as his rights depended on the maintenance of prosperity and well-being of the tribs. His special task was to ensure a regular rainfall, because the natives' food supply depended on rain. When no rain fell for some time, tho tribesmen asked the witch-doctor why he had not interceded with the spirits to bring rain. He was allowed grace, usually of a week. If rain did not fall in that time, the natives became convinced that the witch-doctor did not have their interests at heart or that he had offended the spirits, and stringent measures were taken. He was forced to lie down in the sun, and the hide of a newly-killed cow was stretched over him and tightly pegged dowo around the edges. If it rained withio a few hours the green hide remained stretched, and the witch-doctor was led back in triumph to his village. If rain did not come, the skin became taut under the heat of the sun, and tho imprisoned man was squeezed to death.
Mr. Gordon said that terrible cruelties were practised by witch-doctors io attempts to maintain their power.
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Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 74, 9 March 1933, Page 11
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339RAINMAKERS’ TRIALS Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 74, 9 March 1933, Page 11
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