A MISSION AMONG THE AFRICAN PYGMIES.
ON the western side of the snow-capped Ruwenzori Range, in Central Africa, are found a group of many tribes who have never yet taken one step from their savagery and cannibalism. One can scarcely imagine that there ever could have existed a more primitive and unenlightened race than this which in this twentieth century is to be witnessed among these distant subjects of the British Dominion. But even here, where the world's clamoring voice has not yet penetrated, is to be heard "the still small voice," and it might be written thus: "The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the deep." For nearly three weeks my husband and myself have been staying at the furthermost of our Toro mission stations, and have been making minute inquiries as to how far it is possible to reach these wild races. As one stands on the brow of the mission hill, no fewer than seven distinct tribes, each with its own peculiar customs and dialect, lie within view, while at this particular spot are to be found representatives of other tribes from more distant parts. Having fled from the hands of plunderers and raiding tribes, they have come to settle down under the peaceful rule of the Christian chief, and many of them have not only learned to read, but have professed the Christian religion. Stanley's Great Forest is within a few hours' march of the mission hill, and within its almost impenetrable depths are to be found the Bambuba and the Batwa (pygmies). The former is a strong and sturdy little race that never reaches a stature beyond four to five feet. They live in wattle huts, and have not yet learned the art of cultivating. Felling the trees and undergrowth, they sow maize and beans and potatoes in rough unprepared soil. Like the other surrounding tribes, their custom of marriage is an exchange of a man's sister for that of his neighbor's, or where this is impossible, goats are demanded. This latter exchange is absolutely binding on the wife, and should she run back to her people war ensues, which results in a big feasting on each other's foes who have fallen. When one of their number dies, a deep pit is digged, and he is placed in a posture, with hands crossed on his breast. They bury him no further than the shoulders for six days, when the friends gather round to take parting glances. At the end of that period the burying is completed, and his grave is swept daily till the relatives move into another district. A number of these people are living here; five of them have been baptized, and others are reading as catechumens. Their smaller neighbors, the pygmies, lead a roving life through the forest. They have no settled homes, but build tiny grass booths, which only remain standing for a few days, and then the signal for removal is given. Expert with the bow and arrow, they are thus able to keep themselves well supplied in meat, and the remainder of their spoil they exchange for the Bambuba's grain and potatoes, when they do not stealthily appropriate these like the wild pigs. Very few of these little folk will venture forth from their forest security; howbeit, no less than seven are now under instruction here, and two have been already baptized. The Bahuka are a cannibal tribe, living within sight, at a distance of about three miles. They live in the Semliki Plain, and extend westward to Belgian territory. Not only do they feast on their foes' flesh, but sell their dead for four or six goats. Altho they have no scruples on eating human flesh, they bury their goats and sheep with due honor. The Balega are a populous race inhabiting the coast and hills west of the Albert Lake. They worship evil spirits, and build their tiny temples in the long grass. Only the men and very old women are allowed to visit these shrines, but a horn is blown to inform the other women when they perform their ceremonies. Scarcely recognizing the authority of chiefs, practically each man is the lord of his own household, and as a man's family often numbers a hundred, who do not leave the parental roof as is the custom elsewhere, his one-roomed house has to be of considerable dimensions, and his rule is not always of the simplest. The church at Toro has sent out to this tribe two Batoro teachers, who have been kindly received. In giving this faint insight into the dark corners of the earth, I trust it will awaken the prayers of Christians, that from the center of Mboga, where there are now over two hundred professing Christians, and sixty communicants, may irradiate such a clear, irresistible light that the darkness of the ages shall be rolled away by its brightness. "And God said, Let there be light; and there was light."—Church Missionary Intelligencer.