Eureka Reporter | 1904-10-21 | Page 6 | Bards of African Kings

BARDS OF AFRICAN KINGS only sarv vors of the minstrels of the ages the orly survivor of the true bard s to be found in darkest africa ex acely like jhb ancient bards of the north the winder through tt e land sinking sones in praise 0 chiefs most of them are subject to some ar native chief whose praises they sing at all times otten the songs are composed by the wise ruler himself who thus makes certain of gett ng a satisfactory brand of praise when a stranger visits the country of such a chief a bard la always told off to accompany him as a sign of gi eat honor it as the bard misses no opportunity to sing angs about the chief the pleasure is one sided the bards are paid handsomely but they are not viewed with real respect the rather look down on them and force them to act as spies bv sending them abroad to find out things about other tribes Hove ei the bards are feared it they are not respected because they have the uncomfortable habit of tak ing bad everything that they have ung about a chief or his village if they ore offended in such an event they go to other villages and sing exposing all the weaknesses of the people who have displeased them