Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 11.djvu/169

 THE NEGRO RACE AND EUROPEAN CIVILIZATION 153

rules of private property, which are strictly defined and scrupu- lously observed. Palaver, however, is costly, so that persons who cause much litigation are looked upon as undesirable citizens. Thus, Miss Kingsley saw on a stake before a village the head of a woman whose offense had been that she had "caused too much palaver." In order to prevent the stringing-out of actions, each party has to present the judge with a calabash of palm wine for every day of the sessions.

The intellectual life of the African negro is taken up chiefly with fetishism ; that is, with the construction of a spirit-world by which he feels himself surrounded and which he believes is influ- encing his every act. Fetishism is not unlike the animism of the Brahmin, but it is without the latter's belief in the duality of spirit and matter, and looks upon visible existence as only a grosser form of spirit. Acording to the belief of the negro, the world was created by potent divinities, who now hold aloof and allow the brutal forces of nature to fight out their battles among themselves. Man, himself a spirit, is caught in the midst of this struggle of forces superior to his own and entirely regardless of his welfare ; his only salvation, therefore, lies in escaping as much as possible the attention of these sinister beings. The Africans have neither hero- nor ancestor-worship, and with them, therefore, the idea of divinity is not a development of ancestor-cult. It is true that the spirits of their ancestors are supposed to continue in a sentient existence ; they are consulted, but they are not worshiped. Thus, a man will often turn aside, when in company with other men, to say a few words to the spirit of his departed mother, or to ask her advice on the matter in hand. These spirits are called the " friendly ones ; " they need not be worshiped ; their good-will is already enlisted on account of their natural regard for their mortal relatives. Some of the most cruel customs of Africa result from this conception. Lest the spirit of the husband suffer from soli- tude, the wives of a deceased man are killed at the time of his funeral. In order that a powerful chieftain may have the proper service and be able to support his dignity in the other world, scores of slaves are beheaded in order to form his spirit retinue. Often the successor of a dead chieftain will send news to him by