"Lodholz to Basel"

Concerning the dispute between the elder Piedu and Abr. Boamma over a slave. There had been enmity between Abr. Boama and the other slaves of Piedu before he became a Christian. After he became a Christian the young slave of his whom he had given to Piedu to replace his services fell ill. A fetish told him that he was ill because he was not serving his former master, and Boamma became to be suspected of witchcraft and poisoning. People began to threaten him with the carrying of the corpse if the young slave died. At this stage the missionaries intervened and organised a meeting with Apiedu. Boamma defended himself so vehemently that it almost came to blows. After the missionaries had silenced him Piedu recited the possible causes of Boamma’s enmity to the young slave, including the fact that he was having intimate relations with a girl whose mother had refused to allow Boamma to have her as his wife. The missionaries declared, however, that there was no reason to suspect Boamma at all - the idea that he wanted the slave back was impossible, since no baptised Christian had slaves. And if the Kibi people started to threaten Boamma with carrying the corpse then the matter would be taken to the Governor.

30.06.1869

30.06.1869

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