"Buck’s Report for the Third Quarter of 1883"

He discusses first the problem of Joseph Bosompem, heir to a sub-chief's stool in Kibi. The stool had been vacant for 2 years, because Bosompem would not take it in view of his being a Christian, but negotiations had taken place in which he was involved to see if conditions could be devised in which Buck Bosorpem might be able to remain a Christian and yet take the stool. Buck remarks that the Awapim synod had once ruled that no Christian might become a chief, but he questions whether this can remain the rule for all time. Eventually a deputation came from the town – the full role of the elders, and the king's brother, pointing out that Bosompem was the legitimate heir and making a formal request to know the conditions under which he could take up the office. (Buck says he felt a glow of joy and satisfaction, because these were the very men who four years before had caused so much trouble, derided him, and refused to respond to his moves to negotiate over the status of people attempting to become Christians. Now they were coming to ask a Christian to become a chief, and seeking his conditions for the move.) Bosompem declared that he would not accept the debts of his predecessor’s obsequy customs, and a heathen chief took these over with the estate of the deceased. He declared he would judge cases according to English law, would accept no drinks, would not accept the stool or make the customary acts of respect and homage. Not too much difficulty was made over any of these points. The linguist remarked that sooner or later they would all be Christians. The stool was handed over to the missionary to be kept with proper respect. In fact Bosompem will be mostly ruling over. Christians anyway, since most of his uncle's slaves are now in the community. He has ordered a bell so that he can call his people to instruction in reading. The trouble in Apapam was that the local people wanted to settle a fetish priest near the chapel, and this would probably mean difficulty in getting access to it. Buck warns them that this would be illegal. In a paragraph on the Abomosu community, he remarks that half of the community are relatives of the dismissed presbyter Abraham Bugyei anyway, that they do not pay Church Tax and have not been able to pay for communion wine with the result that there have been no more celebrations of the Communion, and their behaviour is so bad that the local people want to hear no more Christian preaching.

08.09.1883

08.09.1883

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