This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1881 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XII. MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OP THE MARDTSE TRIBES. Ideas of religion--Mode of living--Husbandry and crops--Consumption and preparation of food--Cleanliness--Costume-- Position of the women--Education of children--Marriages-- Disposal of the dead--Forms of greeting--Modes of travelling--Administration of justice--An execution--Knowledge of medicine--Superstition -- Charms--Human sacrifices-- Clay and wooden vessels -- Calabashes -- Basket-work-- Weapons--Manufacture of clothing--Tools--Oars--Pipes aud snuff-boxes--Ornaments--Toys, tools, and fly-flappers. casions to refer to different customs and characteristics of the Marutse-Mabunda people that attracted my attention; but I propose to devote the present chapter to some further details before resuming the account of my travelling experiences. Before it was split up into its present large number of tribes, the Bantu family believed in the existence of a powerful invisible God; and by no people has the conception been so well preserved as by the Marutse, inasmuch as they retain an idea, however indistinct, of an Omnipotent Being who observes every action and disposes of every individual at his own will. They shrink from pronouncing His name, generally substituting for it the word " molemo," which has a very comprehensive meaning, as besides signifying God, it is used to denote good and evil spirits, medicines, poisons, charms, and amulets. Their real designation of the unseen Deity is " Nyambe," and if ever they pronounce it they raise both hands and eyes to the sky, and not unfrequently they use the same gestures without mentioning the name at all. They assume that the Supreme Being resides "mo-chorino," i.e. in the azure of the heavens, and I have heard them allude to him as "He who...