ABSTRACT
Before a man starts building in a new compound, he plants a live stick of the" ogilisi " tree to grow in front of the house that is to be. This is called" Ani-ezi " and represents the owner's deceased father. Once a quarter, or oftener if so directed by the priest, " Ani-ezi" must be mollified with a small feast; in plain words he must be " fed"! "Ani-ezi" comes further into notice from the fact, that when a robbery is perpetrated in the village, the people assemble before him and swear in turn saying: "If I am guilty, may' Ani-ezi ' slay me." It may be a man trembles; if so, he is immediately proclaimed guilty, and must suffer accordingly. His property is seized, including his wife, and a heavy fine imposed. Usually, the confiscated properties are taken over by the community; in some places the "ndi dibia" appropriate and share them among themselves.
