Thinking black; 22 years without a break in the long grass of Central ...

EASTWARD HO! 95
Africa, and thence right round the globe, these taunt
names are passed along the line, each tribe sporting its
rags of righteousness at the expense of the other. Of
course it is always the next man who is the alleged
"bad 'un," nay, never, never No. 1. The Bihean eats
dogs, and the Luban eats snails, therefore each reviles
the other on this touchy point of tribal diet. The true
trade-mark this, of all negro Pharisees
" Compound for sins they are inclined to,
By hating those they have no mind to."
The Luban, in order to eat man more comfortably, calls
outsiders Vahemba ; ask him if he eats *'man," and he
will say, " Oh no ! I do not eat man ; I only eat Vahemba."
That is to say, only the Luban is a man, and a Gentile a
Muhemba. No random idea this taunt title, if you please,
for you may choose your coast of entrance, East or West,
and find Africa full of a Pharisee who never saw Jerusalem.
The abrupt first day's climb of the West Coast or the
gradual ascent of the Zanzibar side in the East ; yes,
choose either, for the whole world is akin. First comes
the sleek Swahili man, as black and as negroid as any.
Now in his raw estate was he not altogether lighter than
vanity, and did not the Arabs from Muscat call him a
Kaffir ? And did he not meekly and mildly swallow the
dose without a murmur ? And being immensely pleased
with his own dear self, does not this pride in himself make
the usual demand on the " other " man ? Therefore, being
a Pharisee of the good old international stock, he, scorning