MUMBO-JUMBO, a strange bugbear employed by the Pagan Mandingoes (see MANDING, Suppl.) for the purpose of keeping their women in subjection. Polygamy being allowed among these people, every man marries as many wives as he can conveniently maintain; and the consequence is, that family quarrels sometimes rise to such a height, that the husband's authority is not sufficient to restore peace among the ladies. On these occasions, the interposition of Mumbo-Jumbo is called in; and it is always decisive. This strange minister of justice, who is either the husband himself, or some person instructed by him, disguised in a sort of masquerade habit, made of the bark of trees, and armed with the rod of public authority, announces his coming by loud and dismal screams in the woods near the town. He begins the pantomime at the approach of night; and as soon as it is dark, he enters the town, and proceeds to the Beniang or market-place, at which all the inhabitants immediately assemble.
It may easily be supposed that this exhibition is not much relished by the women; for as the person in disguise is entirely unknown to them, every married female suspects that the visit may possibly be intended for herself; but they dare not refuse to appear when they are summoned; and the ceremony commences with songs and dances, which continue till midnight, about which time Mumbo fixes on the offender. This unfortunate victim being thereupon immediately seized, is stripped naked, tied to a post, and severely scourged with Mumbo's rod, amidst the shouts and derision of the whole assembly; and it is remarkable, that the rest of the women are the loudest in their exclamations on this occasion against their unhappy sister. Daylight puts an end to this indecent
indecent and unmanly revel. It is truly astonishing that the women should be deluded by so clumsy an impotence, and that the men should so faithfully keep their own secret. That the women are deluded seems evident; for Mr Park assures us, that the drefs of Mumbow is suffered to hang on a tree at the entrance of each town; which could hardly be the case, if the women were not persuaded that it is the drefs of some supernatural being.