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“Colour variations are prevalent from light olive to deepest black, and albinos are common. These freaks of naturea are of unprepossessing appearance. They are not, however, treated as monstrosities; indeed the mother of an albino is usually gratified with her offspring. They are termed by the people “ndi-awcha” ie., white people.
Skin disfigurements are very common, especially amongst the elder folk. These produce a pie-bald condition, the hands and feet being the parts chiefly affected. This is, I suppose, due to some form of disease which destroys the underlying pigment. I personally, have seen but one certain case (and one other so reputed) of a child born with white patches on the skin.
The Ibo country lies within the recognised negro belt, and the people bear the main characteristics of that stock. Bridgeless noses and wide open nostrils are striking features, likewise the thick protruding lips and the powerful jaws. The shape of the skull repeats itself with astonishing regularity, this pecularity, perhaps, being accounted for by the process of moulding the shape of the head during infancy.
There are certain customs which rather point to Levitic influence at a more or less remote period. This is suggested in the underlying ideas concerning sacrifice and in practice of circumcision. The language also bears several interesting parallels with the Hebrew idiom.”
