WHITE RACE IN AFRICA

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1932, Page 9

WHITE RACE IN AFRICA

KILTED TRIBE OF MOSLEMS. -SEVERE FOR YOUTH. A native white tribe which has persisted from time immemorial in the midst of the solid, black population of northern Nigeria is. reported, in the British anthropological journal, “Man,” by G. W. Webster, who has spent 24 years in the vicinity.'' These are the Fulahi, strikingly white in skin colour, with long, aquiline noses. They wear “kilts” 'somewhat after the fashion of Scotch Highlanders, although no possible connection is suggested between the two people. All are Moslems. ‘ This white tribe has preserved itself, according to the report, by extreme insistence on racial purity. The marriage customs- are colourful. Once each year there is a “trial.” All the girls of marriageable age stand in a ring. One by one, the young men of marriageable age are brought to the centre of the circle. Then two strong men of the village are selected to beat the youth with a heavy, club. He must stand the blows without wincing. Sometimes the beating is fatal. The slightest visible sign that he is affected by the pain means that marriage must be delayed for another year. He is dressed in girl’s clothes and made to sit with the children. If he comes through the ordeal, however, he can select any girl from the circle for his wife. The young of both sexes are chased back and .forth through a huge bonfire every fall as a purification ceremony. They may .be badly burned, ■ but -must continue racing through the flames until ths fire is extinguished.