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| A very widely extended belief was in that of the
Tangena
poison ordeal. The nut of a certain tree, one with beautiful foliage
(Tanghinia venenifera), growing in the wood
of the east coast region, was used for the purpose.
This was scraped and mixed with the juice of a banana and administered to
the person accused or suspected of crime, together with a long
invocation and fearful maledictions...
I have conversed with native friends who were subjected to the
Tangena; it was extremely bitter, and produced vomiting
and much pain; and a large dose (about thirty grains) would kill
by poisoning unless promptly rejected. |
