The tailed head-hunters of Nigeria : an account of an official's seven years' experiences in the Northern Nigerian pagan belt, and a description of the manners, habits, and customs of some of its native tribes / by A.J.N. Tremearne.
- Arthur John Newman Tremearne
- Date:
- 1912
Licence: In copyright
Credit: The tailed head-hunters of Nigeria : an account of an official's seven years' experiences in the Northern Nigerian pagan belt, and a description of the manners, habits, and customs of some of its native tribes / by A.J.N. Tremearne. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![slie spread it in front of him, and a Crow and a Frog came out of it. Then the Mare said to them, “ Go to the lake and get the kola-nuts.” So they went; the Crow flew up above and plucked off the nuts, and when they fell into the water the Frog caught them. Then they emerged from the lake, and the Crow took the nuts to the Foy, and he gave them to his Brothers, Then they said, “ There is no one who can beat this Boy ; go home again,” so he went home. But soon afterwards the Brothers were gathered together again, and sent for Salifu, and when he had come they said, “We are giving our Servants food; go home and they will bring it to you, and when you have eaten it give them back the calabashes.” Then Salifu returned home, and began crying, and the Mare asked him what he was crying for; and, when she had been told, she said, “Go into your father’s room and bring that handker- chief.” So he entered, and brought it, and, when the Mare had spread it in front of him. Slipperiness came out, and Small Pieces of Wood, and they went to the road, the Slipperiness placing itself in the middle of the path, the Wood doing the same. Four Youths had been detailed to bring the meat and grain, and one to carry the soup [all eaten together, the whole being enough for, perhaps, eight men], and when they had reached the road to the house, the first one stumbled, for the Slipperiness had caught him, and when he fell down the Wood broke his legs. All fell down and broke their legs, and the food was wasted in the forest. Then again the Brothers summoned Salifu to come, and they said, “ Go home, for guinea-corn, millet, atcha, and rice will be sent to you all mixed together, and you must separate them by to-morrow morning.” Then he went home and began crying, and the Mare asked him what he was sad about now ; and, when she had been told, she once more had the handkerchief brought. Then she spread it as before, and said, “All You who are inside come forth, there is work for you to do,” and immediately a great multitude of Ants appeared, and separated the grain, and Salifu sent it back in different calabashes to his Brothers. Soon afterwards the Brothers said, “ There is a certain Girl](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b29010445_0400.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
