They Are Named In The Maravi Tongue "Shiwo",
And In That Of The People Of Tete "Shitakoteko", Or "Shivering".
This Agrees Exactly With What Has Taken Place In The Coast Of Mozambique -
A Few Slight Shocks Of Short Duration, And All Appearing To Come
From The East.
At Senna, too, a single shock has been felt several times,
which shook the doors and windows, and made the glasses jingle.
Both Tete and Senna have hot springs in their vicinity,
but the shocks seemed to come, not from them, but from the east,
and proceed to the west.
They are probably connected with
the active volcanoes in the island of Bourbon.
As Senhor Candido holds the office of judge in all the disputes
of the natives, and knows their language perfectly, his statement
may be relied on that all the natives of this region
have a clear idea of a Supreme Being, the maker and governor of all things.
He is named "Morimo", "Molungo", "Reza", "Mpambe",
in the different dialects spoken. The Barotse name him "Nyampi",
and the Balonda "Zambi". All promptly acknowledge him as the ruler
over all. They also fully believe in the soul's continued existence
apart from the body, and visit the graves of relatives,
making offerings of food, beer, etc. When undergoing the ordeal,
they hold up their hands to the Ruler of Heaven, as if appealing to him
to assert their innocence. When they escape, or recover from sickness,
or are delivered from any danger, they offer a sacrifice of a fowl or a sheep,
pouring out the blood as a libation to the soul of some departed relative.
They believe in the transmigration of souls, and also that while persons
are still living they may enter into lions and alligators,
and then return again to their own bodies.
While still at Tete the son of Monomotapa paid the commandant a visit.
He is named Mozungo, or "White Man", has a narrow tapering head,
and probably none of the ability or energy his father possessed.
He was the favorite of his father, who hoped that he would occupy his place.
A strong party, however, in the tribe placed Katalosa in the chieftainship,
and the son became, as they say, a child of this man. The Portuguese
have repeatedly received offers of territory if they would only
attend the interment of the departed chief with troops,
fire off many rounds of cartridges over the grave, and then give eclat
to the installment of the new chief. Their presence would probably
influence the election, for many would vote on the side of power,
and a candidate might feel it worth while to grant a good piece of land,
if thereby he could secure the chieftainship to himself.
When the Portuguese traders wish to pass into the country beyond Katalosa,
they present him with about thirty-two yards of calico and some other goods,
and he then gives them leave to pass in whatever direction
they choose to go.
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