CROWNING A BLACK KING

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 28, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 42.

CROWNING A BLACK KING.

A SECRET meeting is first held by the chiefs of the country, at which they unanimously select one person of the royal line to be made king. A public meeting of chiefs is next held, a few days or weeks after, when the party chosen is called to attend. On his arrival about half a dozen men, hidden for the purpose, rush out and take hold of him. Astonished at such proceedings, he naturally asks, "What have I done?" He is then told by the eldest chief that the Ebebege told them he is to be king. (Ebebege is a square frame of wood, and carried by four men, who profess to be directed where to go by this frame, which is supposed to be inspired by the spirit of the fathers.) Then the other chiefs answer, "Yes, yes, so it is; did not the Ebebege tell us so?" He is not allowed to return home, but is led to a house, and put in a room already prepared to receive him. His shirt is taken off, leaving only his handkerchief cloth around his loins; then he is told to sit on a stool and is chalked over from head to foot. This is the anointing. For three days he is to be alone in this room, chalked, his meals brought to him by servants.

On the fourth day a public meeting is held of the whole country people. The king elect, after washing, is dressed in a most expensive cloth and shirt. Loaded with corals around his neck, arms, and feet, he appears and sits on a large arm chair, and is exhibited to the people as their king, amid loud exclamations and praises. When silence is effected, a chief advances, and on getting near the king, gives him a crack on the head, saying, "The country is in your hand; mind it well." Another comes and gives him a box on the ears, saying, "Keep your ears open, do justice, and give right judgments." Another comes and gives him a thump on the forehead, saying, "Keep your head clear, and pity the poor;" and so on till twelve or fifteen chiefs, as the case may be, have duly impressed the king concerning his official duties, both by word and thumping.

After this priests appear with their sacrifices, and killing of goats and fowls, to propitiate the gods and the forefathers. These the present Christian king refused to have performed for him, and they were dispensed with. After the sacrificial performances, a day is chosen for the whole of the inhabitants to go out fishing for the king.—Church Missionary and Quarterly Token.