The explorer Schweinfurth speaks of writing out in the evenings his memoranda respecting these people by the light of a little oil-lamp contrived by himself, which was supplied with some questionable-looking grease furnished by the natives.

The smell of this grease, he says, could not fail to arouse one's worst suspicions against the negroes.

According to his account the Monbuttos are the most confirmed cannibals in Africa.

Surrounded as they are by a number of peoples who are blacker than themselves, and who, being inferior to them in culture, are held in contempt, they carry on expeditions of war and plunder which result in the acquisition of a booty especially coveted by them--namely, human flesh.

The bodies of all foes who fall in battle are distributed on the field among the victors, and are prepared by drying for transportation.