THE LUCK OF THE NEW MOON.
[To TER EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—A somewhat remarkable illustration of the ancient and deeply rooted origin of our Western superstition of bowing, turning money, (tc., on the appearance of the new moon, has been brought to my notice. At sunset, two evenings ago, I suddenly heard an outcry among my boys in their huts at a little distance from my own. On looking out, I saw them one after another take lighted brands from the fire, and throw them towards some object in the sky. They then regarded the same object standing in a precatory attitude, stretching forth their hands, and loudly shouting certain sentences. One sentence, "Nice mennigi " (give plenty money), was clearly intelligible.
In reply to my inquiries, the boys pointed to a new moon, just faintly discernible in the clouds. They also informed me that "zouke " (all) boys thus greeted the new moon. The emphasis on the " zouke " (all) implying that it was a universal native custom. I may mention that two of these boys came from north of Whimbane, three were subjects of Gungung- hama, and three were Mashonas. The incident is not without some ethnic significance, and may be of interest to some of
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