Chapter 17 Taboo Behavior: Taboo Showing Your Face

In the case mentioned above, the purpose of absolutely not being seen when eating or drinking may be more to prevent evil from entering the body, not just to prevent one's own soul from escaping from the body.This must have been the motivation for the adherence to these dietary habits by the natives of the Congo region.We have heard: "These natives never fail to cast out ghosts before drinking. Some people have been ringing the bell while drinking; some are squatting on the ground and pressing the ground with their left hands; Inserting a blade of grass or a leaf, or drawing a line on the forehead with soil as a mark. This blind superstitious custom has various manifestations. The reason for it is that blacks believe it is a powerful way to exorcise spirits, and Satisfied with that." The chief usually rings the bell every time he takes a sip of beer, while a boy standing in front of him swings his spear "to stop the ghosts who are watching by from taking the opportunity to follow the beer." into the belly of the old chief."Some African Sudans are used to covering their faces with veils, probably for the purpose of blocking evil spirits.The sultan of Darfur covered his face with a white cloth, leaving only one pair of eyes to see.In other parts of Central Africa, it is said that the king also followed this custom and covered his face with gauze as a symbol of the supreme ruler.The Sultan of Vadai always speaks behind a curtain, and no one is allowed to see the king's face except for a few cronies.