Concerning the Fate of Essido and his Evil Companions

Chief Oborri lived at a town called Adiagor, which is on the right bank of the Calabar River. He was a wealthy chief, and belonged to the Egbo Society. He had many large canoes, and plenty of slaves to paddle them. These canoes he used to fill up with new yams--each canoe being under one head slave and containing eight paddles; the canoes were capable of holding three puncheons of palm-oil, and cost eight hundred rods each. When they were full, about ten of them used to start off together and paddle to Rio del Rey. They went through creeks all the way, which run through mangrove swamps, with palm-oil trees here and there. Sometimes in the tornado season it was very dangerous crossing the creeks, as the canoes were so heavily laden, having only a few inches above the water, that quite a small wave would fill the canoe and cause it to sink to the bottom. Although most of the boys could swim, it often happened that some of them were lost, as there are many large alligators in these waters. After four days' hard paddling they would arrive at Rio del Rey, where they had very little difficulty in exchanging their new yams for bags of dried shrimps and sticks with smoked fish on them.[11]

オボリ首長は、カラバル川の右岸にあるアディアゴルという町に住んでいた。オボリは裕福な首長で、エグボ結社に属していた。大きな丸木舟をたくさん持っていて、それを漕ぐ奴隷もたっぷりいた。オボリはこの丸木舟を新しいヤムイモでいっぱいにした——どの舟にも奴隷頭が一人ついて、漕ぎ手が八人乗っていた。舟は椰子油の大樽三つを積むことができ、一艘が八百ロッドもした。舟がいっぱいになると、十艘ほどが一緒に出発して、リオ・デル・レイまで漕いでいった。一行はずっと入り江を通っていったが、入り江はマングローブの沼地を抜けていて、ところどころに椰子油の木が生えていた。ときには大風の季節に入り江を渡るのはたいそう危なかった。舟は荷をあまりに重く積んでいて、水面からほんの数インチしか出ていなかったので、ごく小さな波でも舟に水が入って底に沈んでしまうからである。若者たちのほとんどは泳げたが、この水域には大きなワニがたくさんいるので、何人かが命を落とすことがたびたびあった。四日間懸命に漕ぐと、一行はリオ・デル・レイに着き、そこで新しいヤムイモを、干し海老の袋や燻製の魚を刺した串と、たいした苦労もなく交換した。[11]

[Footnote 11: A stick of fish consisted of two sticks with a big fish in the middle of each and small fish at each end, there being eight fish on each stick, making sixteen in all. These sticks were then tied together, and smoked over wood fires until they were quite dried. One stick of fish would sell at Calabar in the dry season time for from 3s. 6d. to 5s. a stick, and a stick would be got for five large yams which cost Chief Oborri only 1s., so a large profit was made on each canoe load--the canoes carrying about a thousand yams each. A bag of shrimps would be bartered for twenty-five large yams, and the shrimps would be sold for 15s., being a profit of 10s. on each bag. At the present time, however, the same sized bag of shrimps, in the wet season, would sell at Calabar for L3, 10s., and in the dry season for between L1, 10s. and L2.]

[脚注 11: 魚ひと串は二本の串からなり、それぞれまんなかに大きな魚を一匹、両端に小さな魚を刺して、一本の串に八匹、合わせて十六匹になっていた。これらの串は束ねられて、すっかり乾くまで薪の火で燻された。魚ひと串は乾季のカラバルで一串 3 シリング 6 ペンスから 5 シリングで売れた。そしてひと串は大きなヤムイモ五個で手に入り、そのヤムイモはオボリ首長にはわずか 1 シリングしかかからなかった。そういうわけで舟ひと荷ごとに大きな儲けが出た——舟はそれぞれヤムイモをおよそ千個運んだからである。海老ひと袋は大きなヤムイモ二十五個と交換され、その海老は 15 シリングで売れたので、ひと袋あたり 10 シリングの儲けになった。けれども今では、同じ大きさの海老の袋が、雨季のカラバルでは 3 ポンド 10 シリング、乾季には 1 ポンド 10 シリングから 2 ポンドのあいだで売れるのである。]

Chief Oborri had two sons, named Eyo I. and Essido. Their mother having died when they were babies, the children were brought up by their father. As they grew up, they developed entirely different characters. The eldest was very hard-working and led a solitary life; but the younger son was fond of gaiety and was very lazy, in fact, he spent most of his time in the neighbouring towns playing and dancing. When the two boys arrived at the respective ages of eighteen and twenty their father died, and they were left to look after themselves. According to native custom, the elder son, Eyo I., was entitled to the whole of his father's estate; but being very fond of his younger brother, he gave him a large number of rods and some land with a house. Immediately Essido became possessed of the money he became wilder than ever, gave big feasts to his companions, and always had his house full of women, upon whom he spent large sums. Although the amount his brother had given him on his father's death was very large, in the course of a few years Essido had spent it all. He then sold his house and effects, and spent the proceeds on feasting.

オボリ首長には息子が二人いて、エヨ一世とエッシドといった。母親は二人が赤ん坊のころに死んだので、子どもたちは父親に育てられた。大きくなるにつれて、二人はまるでちがう気性に育った。兄はたいそう働き者で、ひとり静かに暮らしていた。けれども弟は浮かれ騒ぎが好きでたいそう怠け者で、実のところ近くの町々で遊んだり踊ったりして大半の時を過ごしていた。二人の男の子がそれぞれ二十歳と十八歳になったころ父親が死に、二人は自分で身を立てていかねばならなくなった。土地のしきたりによれば、兄のエヨ一世が父の財産をすべて受け継ぐことになっていた。けれども兄は弟をたいそうかわいがっていたので、弟にたくさんのロッドと、家つきの土地をいくらか与えた。エッシドは金を手にするやいなや、これまで以上に放埒になり、仲間に大宴会をふるまい、家はいつも女たちでいっぱいで、その女たちに大金を使った。父の死に際して兄から与えられた額はたいそうなものだったが、数年のうちにエッシドはそれをすっかり使い果たしてしまった。それからエッシドは家と家財を売り払い、その代金を宴に使ってしまった。

While he had been living this gay and unprofitable life, Eyo I. had been working harder than ever at his father's old trade, and had made many trips to Rio del Rey himself. Almost every week he had canoes laden with yams going down river and returning after about twelve days with shrimps and fish, which Eyo I. himself disposed of in the neighbouring markets, and he very rapidly became a rich man. At intervals he remonstrated with Essido on his extravagance, but his warnings had no effect; if anything, his brother became worse. At last the time arrived when all his money was spent, so Essido went to his brother and asked him to lend him two thousand rods, but Eyo refused, and told Essido that he would not help him in any way to continue his present life of debauchery, but that if he liked to work on the farm and trade, he would give him a fair share of the profits. This Essido indignantly refused, and went back to the town and consulted some of the very few friends he had left as to what was the best thing to do.

エッシドがこんな浮かれた実りのない暮らしをしているあいだ、エヨ一世は父の昔からの商いにこれまで以上に励み、自分でも何度もリオ・デル・レイへ出かけた。ほとんど毎週のように、ヤムイモを積んだ舟が川を下り、十二日ほどして海老と魚を積んで戻ってきた。エヨ一世はそれを自分で近くの市場で売りさばき、たちまち金持ちになった。エヨはときどきエッシドの浪費をいさめたが、その忠告は何の効き目もなかった。むしろ弟はいっそうひどくなった。とうとう金がすっかり尽きる時が来て、エッシドは兄のところへ行って二千ロッド貸してくれと頼んだ。けれどもエヨは断り、エッシドに、今のような放蕩な暮らしを続けるのをどんなかたちでも助けるつもりはない、だがもし畑で働いて商いをする気があるなら、儲けの正当な分け前をやろう、と言った。エッシドはこれを憤然として断り、町へ戻って、わずかに残ったごく少ない友だちに、どうするのがいちばんよいか相談した。

The men he spoke to were thoroughly bad men, and had been living upon Essido for a long time. They suggested to him that he should go round the town and borrow money from the people he had entertained, and then they would run away to Akpabryos town, which was about four days' march from Calabar. This Essido did, and managed to borrow a lot of money, although many people refused to lend him anything. Then at night he set off with his evil companions, who carried his money, as they had not been able to borrow any themselves, being so well known. When they arrived at Akpabryos town they found many beautiful women and graceful dancers. They then started the same life again, until after a few weeks most of the money had gone. They then met and consulted together how to get more money, and advised Essido to return to his rich brother, pretending that he was going to work and give up his old life; he should then get poison from a man they knew of, and place it in his brother's food, so that he would die, and then Essido would become possessed of all his brother's wealth, and they would be able to live in the same way as they had formerly. Essido, who had sunk very low, agreed to this plan, and they left Akpabryos town the next morning. After marching for two days, they arrived at a small hut in the bush where a man who was an expert poisoner lived, called Okponesip. He was the head Ju Ju man of the country, and when they had bribed him with eight hundred rods he swore them to secrecy, and gave Essido a small parcel containing a deadly poison which he said would kill his brother in three months. All he had to do was to place the poison in his brother's food.

エッシドが相談した男たちはまったくの悪党で、長いあいだエッシドにたかって暮らしていた。男たちはエッシドに、町を回ってもてなしたことのある人々から金を借り、それからカラバルから四日ほどの道のりのアクパブリヨスの町へ逃げようと持ちかけた。エッシドはそのとおりにして、多くの人々に断られはしたものの、なんとかたくさんの金を借りることができた。それから夜になって、エッシドは悪い仲間たちと出発し、仲間たちがエッシドの金を運んだ。仲間たちはあまりに悪名が知れわたっていたので、自分では一文も借りられなかったのである。アクパブリヨスの町に着くと、美しい女や優雅な踊り手がたくさんいた。そこで一行はまた同じ暮らしを始め、数週間のうちに金のほとんどがなくなってしまった。それから一行は集まって、どうすればもっと金が手に入るかを相談し、エッシドにこう勧めた。金持ちの兄のもとへ帰って、働いて昔の暮らしをやめるふりをしろ。それから、自分たちの知っている男から毒をもらって兄の食べ物に入れれば、兄は死に、エッシドが兄の富をすべて手に入れて、自分たちは前と同じように暮らせる、というのである。すっかり身を落としていたエッシドはこの計画に同意し、一行は次の朝アクパブリヨスの町を発った。二日歩くと、藪のなかの小さな小屋に着いた。そこにはオクポネシプという名の、毒の名人が住んでいた。その男はその国のジュジュ使いの頭で、一行が八百ロッドで賄賂を渡すと、秘密を守ると誓わせてから、エッシドに猛毒の入った小さな包みを渡し、これで兄は三か月のうちに死ぬと言った。することといえば、その毒を兄の食べ物に入れるだけだった。

When Essido returned to his brother's house he pretended to be very sorry for his former mode of living, and said that for the future he was going to work. Eyo I. was very glad when he heard this, and at once asked his brother in, and gave him new clothes and plenty to eat.

エッシドは兄の家へ戻ると、これまでの暮らしをたいそう悔いているふりをして、これから先は働くつもりだと言った。エヨ一世はこれを聞いてたいそう喜び、すぐに弟を家に招き入れて、新しい着物とたっぷりの食べ物を与えた。

In the evening, when supper was being prepared, Essido went into the kitchen, pretending he wanted to get a light from the fire for his pipe. The cook being absent and no one about, he put the poison in the soup, and then returned to the living-room. He then asked for some tombo, which was brought, and when he had finished it, he said he did not want any supper, and went to sleep. His brother, Eyo I., had supper by himself and consumed all the soup. In a week's time he began to feel very ill, and as the days passed he became worse, so he sent for his Ju Ju man.

夕方、夕食の支度をしているとき、エッシドはパイプに火をつけたいふりをして台所へ行った。料理人がおらず誰もいなかったので、エッシドはスープに毒を入れ、それから居間へ戻った。それからエッシドはトンボ酒を頼み、それが運ばれてきて飲み終えると、夕食は要らないと言って眠ってしまった。兄のエヨ一世はひとりで夕食をとり、スープをすっかり平らげた。一週間たつと、エヨはたいそう具合が悪くなり、日がたつにつれてますます悪くなったので、ジュジュ使いを呼びにやった。

When Essido saw him coming, he quietly left the house; but the Ju Ju man, by casting lots, very soon discovered that it was Essido who had given poison to his brother. When he told Eyo I. this, he would not believe it, and sent him away. However, when Essido returned, his elder brother told him what the Ju Ju man had said, but that he did not believe him for one moment, and had sent him away. Essido was much relieved when he heard this, but as he was anxious that no suspicion of the crime should be attached to him, he went to the Household Ju Ju,[12] and having first sworn that he had never administered poison to his brother, he drank out of the pot.

エッシドはジュジュ使いが来るのを見ると、そっと家を出ていった。けれどもジュジュ使いは籤を投げて、兄に毒を盛ったのはエッシドだと、たちまち突き止めた。ジュジュ使いがエヨ一世にこれを告げると、エヨは信じようとせず、ジュジュ使いを帰らせた。けれどもエッシドが戻ってくると、兄はジュジュ使いの言ったことを話し、自分はひとときもそれを信じなかったので帰らせたと言った。エッシドはこれを聞いてたいそうほっとしたが、この罪の疑いが少しでも自分にかからないようにしたかったので、家のジュジュ[12]のところへ行って、兄に毒を盛ったことなど一度もないとまず誓ってから、壺の中身を飲んだ。

[Footnote 12: Every compound has a small Ju Ju in the centre, which generally consists of a few curiously shaped stones and a small tree on which the 'Nsiat bird frequently builds. There is sometimes a species of cactus at the foot, an earthenware pot is supported on sticks against the tree, and tied on with tie-tie, or native rope. In this pot there is always a very foul-smelling liquid, with frequently some rotten eggs floating in it. Small sacrifices are made to these Ju Ju's of chickens, &c., and this Ju Ju is frequently appealed to. The liquid is sometimes taken as a specific against sickness or poison. In the dry season the author has often observed large spiders with their webs all over these Ju Ju's, but they are never touched. There is also frequently a roughly carved image of wood, and sometimes an old matchet and some broken earthenware on the ground, with a brass rod or manilla. It is generally a very dirty spot.]

[脚注 12: どの屋敷にも、まんなかに小さなジュジュがある。それはたいてい、奇妙な形の石がいくつかと小さな木からなり、その木にはンシアト鳥がたびたび巣をかける。根もとにはサボテンの一種があることもある。木には土の壺が棒で支えて立てかけられ、タイタイ、つまり土地の綱で結びつけられている。この壺にはいつもたいそうひどいにおいの液が入っていて、腐った卵が浮かんでいることもたびたびある。これらのジュジュには鶏などの小さな生贄が捧げられ、このジュジュにはたびたび願いがかけられる。その液は、病気や毒に効く薬として飲まれることもある。乾季には、筆者はこれらのジュジュ一面に大きなクモが巣を張っているのをたびたび見たが、決して触れられることはない。粗く彫った木の像があることもたびたびで、ときには古い山刀や割れた土器が真鍮の棒や腕輪と一緒に地面に置かれている。たいていたいそう汚い場所である。]

Three months after he had taken the poison Eyo I. died, much to the grief of every one who knew him, as he was much respected, not only on account of his great wealth, but because he was also an upright and honest man, who never did harm to any one.

毒を飲んでから三か月たって、エヨ一世は死んだ。エヨを知る人々はみなたいそう悲しんだ。エヨはその大きな富のためばかりでなく、誰にも害を加えたことのない、まっすぐで正直な男だったので、たいそう敬われていたからである。

Essido kept his brother's funeral according to the usual custom, and there was much playing and dancing, which was kept up for a long time. Then Essido paid off his old creditors in order to make himself popular, and kept open house, entertaining most lavishly, and spending his money in many foolish ways. All the bad women about collected at his house, and his old evil companions went on as they had done before.

エッシドはいつものしきたりどおりに兄の葬儀を執り行い、踊りと演奏がたっぷりあって、長いあいだ続けられた。それからエッシドは、人気を得ようと古い借金をすっかり返し、家を開け放しにしてこのうえなく気前よくもてなし、たくさんの愚かなやり方で金を使った。あたりの悪い女たちがみなエッシドの家に集まり、昔の悪い仲間たちも前と同じように振る舞った。

Things got so bad that none of the respectable people would have anything to do with him, and at last the chiefs of the country, seeing the way Essido was squandering his late brother's estate, assembled together, and eventually came to the conclusion that he was a witch man, and had poisoned his brother in order to acquire his position. The chiefs, who were all friends of the late Eyo, and who were very sorry at the death, as they knew that if he had lived he would have become a great and powerful chief, made up their minds to give Essido the Ekpawor Ju Ju, which is a very strong medicine, and gets into men's heads, so that when they have drunk it they are compelled to speak the truth, and if they have done wrong they die very shortly. Essido was then told to dress himself and attend the meeting at the palaver house, and when he arrived the chiefs charged him with having killed his brother by witchcraft. Essido denied having done so, but the chiefs told him that if he were innocent he must prove it by drinking the bowl of Ekpawor medicine which was placed before him. As he could not refuse to drink, he drank the bowl off in great fear and trembling, and very soon the Ju Ju having got hold of him, he confessed that he had poisoned his brother, but that his friends had advised him to do so. About two hours after drinking the Ekpawor, Essido died in great pain.

事態はあまりにひどくなって、まともな人々は誰もエッシドとかかわろうとしなくなった。そしてとうとう国の首長たちは、エッシドが亡き兄の財産を浪費している有様を見て集まり、ついにエッシドは魔術使いで、兄の地位を手に入れるために兄に毒を盛ったのだという結論に達した。首長たちはみな亡きエヨの友だちで、エヨが生きていたら偉大で力ある首長になっただろうと知っていたので、その死をたいそう悲しんでいた。首長たちは、エッシドにエクパウォルのジュジュを飲ませようと心に決めた。これはたいそう強い薬で、人の頭に入り込んで、飲んだ者はほんとうのことを言わずにはいられなくなり、悪いことをしていればまもなく死ぬのである。それからエッシドは身支度をして評議の家の集まりに出るよう言われ、着くと首長たちはエッシドを、魔術で兄を殺したと告発した。エッシドは否定したが、首長たちは、無実ならば、前に置かれたエクパウォルの薬の鉢を飲んでそれを証明しなければならないと言った。飲むのを断れなかったので、エッシドはたいそう恐れ震えながら鉢を飲み干した。するとまもなくジュジュがエッシドをとらえ、エッシドは兄に毒を盛ったこと、ただし友だちにそうするよう勧められたのだということを白状した。エクパウォルを飲んで二時間ほどすると、エッシドはひどく苦しんで死んだ。

The friends were then brought to the meeting and tied up to posts, and questioned as to the part they had taken in the death of Eyo. As they were too frightened to answer, the chiefs told them that they knew from Essido that they had induced him to poison his brother. They were then taken to the place where Eyo was buried, the grave having been dug open, and their heads were cut off and fell into the grave, and their bodies were thrown in after them as a sacrifice for the wrong they had done. The grave was then filled up again.

それから友だちが集まりに連れてこられて柱に縛りつけられ、エヨの死にどんな役を果たしたかを問いただされた。あまりにおびえて答えられなかったので、首長たちは、お前たちが兄に毒を盛るようエッシドをそそのかしたことは、エッシドから聞いて知っていると言った。それから男たちはエヨが葬られた場所へ連れていかれ、墓が掘り開けられて、男たちの首が切り落とされて墓のなかへ落ち、そのなきがらも、犯した悪事の生贄としてあとから投げ込まれた。それから墓はまた埋め戻された。

Ever since that time, whenever any one is suspected of being a witch, he is tried by the Ekpawor Ju Ju.

そのとき以来、誰かが魔術使いだと疑われると、エクパウォルのジュジュで裁かれるのである。