Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 3.djvu/251

SIERKA-LEONE. 203 Inhabitants. The dominant race in the interior of Sierra-Leone is the powerful Tirani (Tirnani, Temne) nation, numbering about two hundred thousand persons, divided into several tribes and into as many " kingdoms " as there are villages. It was a Timni chief who sold to the English the Sierra- Leone peninsula ; but the old owners of the land did not entirely acquiesce in the transaction, and during the early period of the occupation the British were frequently attacked by the natives. Defeated on the continent, and driven in their turn from their palisaded villages, they have lost heart although not yet completely subdued. So recently as 1885 a village near Waterloo, some 25 miles south-east of Freetown, was surprised, some men killed, and some women and children carried away into captivity. The Timni are centred chiefly in the plains between the Rokelle and Little Scarcie rivers. They are a fine vigorous race with pleasant features and proud bearing, at least in the more remote districts, where they have not yet been brought under the " civilising " influences of the capital. Industrious tillers of the soil, they raise enough rice, cocoa-nuts, and other produce, to supply the wants of Freetown. The Timni language, widespread as the common medium of intercourse in the Rokelle basin, has been carefully studied, especially by Schlencker, who has pub- lished a good grammar and complete dictionary. Collections have also been made of the national myths, proverbs, and tales, and several religious works have been translated into this idiom, which resembles the Su-Su, and still more closely the Landuman dialect. The Timni have hitherto lesisted Mohammedan and Christian influences, although firm believers in the efficacy of crosses and Moslem amulets. The tribal government is monarchical, but the regal office may at times prove fatal to candidates for the post. In some places the future subjects of the king have the right of beating him on the eve of the election, and this is occasionally done so energetically that he does not always survive the infliction. The real power belongs to the so-called purra, or porro, an association which judges both ruler and ruled, and to which even slaves are admitted on terms of perfect equality. It is a sort of freemasonry analogous to the boll of the Su-Sus, and to similar secret societies widely diffused throughout West Africa, all with their special language, tattoo marks, and symbols, forming a powerful religious and political state within the state. But amongst the Timni tribe they are most potent for good or evil. When their mandates are issued all wars and civil strife must cease, a general truce is established, and bloodshed stopped, offending com- munities being punished by bands of armed men in masks. Strangers cannot enter the country unless escorted by a member of the guild, who is recognised by pass- words, symbolic gestures, and the like. Their secret rites are celebrated at night in the depths of the forest, all intruders being put to death or sold as slaves. In these societies the wizards command great influence, but at times fall victims to their mutual jealousy. Crocodiles and rapacious beasts are also regarded as