They are called Bathata--fathers or ancients--and the name of each is carefully preserved.

Those here at Kittette were evidently the names of chiefs, Molenda being the most ancient, whilst Mbayo Yamba, Kamoanga, Kitambwe, Nongo, Aulumba, Yenge Yenge, Simba Mayanga, Loembwe, are more recently dead.

They were careful to have the exact pronunciation of the names.
The old men told me that on certain occasions they offer goat's flesh to them: men eat it, and allow no young person or women to partake.

The flesh of the parrot is only eaten by very old men.

They say that if eaten by young men their children will have the waddling gait of the bird.