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men hunt small game, but large game, such as elephants and buffalo, have for the most
part been hunted out of the region. Fishing is common along the banks of the Ubangi
River.
Many men practice trades, such as weaving, carpentry, blacksmithing, and
tailoring, but for a given individual, this work complements rather than supplants
farming.
The Mono people are traditionally animistic (Vergiat 1981). They believe in a
supreme being who created the earth and humans, and lives in the heavens. There are
several other supernatural beings, each with a certain dominion, such as earth, water or
forest. The most noted of these is Toro, the génie de la terre, who is the principal
character in many folk stories and legends. In his cunning way, he likes to trick people,
which either works to his favor or backfires.
Sickness or misfortune may be caused by these supernatural beings, or they may
be the result of a curse from another human. The remedy often consists of fetishes,
offerings, and sacrifices, as prescribed by the local shaman. Individual clans are
associated with a specific animal.
Around the time of puberty, the boys participate in a circumcision rite called
gaza. There used to be a corresponding excision rite for girls, but this has been outlawed
by the Congolese government. 3 The Mono people have a secret society called Ngakoala.
Vergiat mentions Maoro and Badagi as additional secret societies found amongst the
Banda people of CAR. Eboué (1933) provides a 60-item word list of the secret Banda
language Somalé in CAR.
During the 20th century Catholic and Protestant mission activity was successful
amongst the Mono people, so today the majority call themselves Christian. As a result,
3
During the political chaos that ensued during the civil war in 1996-1997, this rite of excision was
resurrected in some villages.
12