“…the savage who was fireman…hard at work, at thrall to strange witchcraft, full of improving knowledge.” (pg. 45)
The character described here is suggestive of what is more commonly referred to as a “witch doctor.” Witch doctors hold importance in most African tribes often being the most respected and knowledgeable individuals. They sometimes act as religious and political leaders, but their primary occupation is healing. Conrad describes the fireman as a typical witch doctor with patterns shaved into his hair and filed teeth, but he also makes the point to show how the fireman has adapted to the different cultures present in the Congo. His display of competence concerning steamboat machinery exemplifies how native peoples adjusted as the result of the colonization common to this time period.
"WikiAnswers - What function or purpose is a 'witch doctor' in african tribes." WikiAnswers. Web. 12 Aug. 2009. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_function_or_purpose_is_a_%27witch_doctor%27_in_african_tribes
Photo Credit: Witch Doctor. Digital image. Web. 12 Aug. 2009. http://ingoodfaith.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/shona_witch_doctor.jpg
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