CHAPTER XV
SECRET SOCIETIES—{continued)

THE YASSI

The Yassi Society belongs both to the Sherbro and
Mendi countries. Apparently in a measure it works con¬
jointly with the Bundu Society ; but while it is professedly
a society for women, it does not object to the admission of
men of the social Poro order at some of its meetings. Under
certain conditions, indeed, it becomes even imperative that
they should be initiated into the mysteries surrounding it
before they can be allowed to enter the Yassi house for
the purpose of coming under the influence and treatment of
the Yassi medicine, when they may have been attacked
by it. All Yassi women must also be Bundu women,
although Bundu women need not necessarily belong to
the Yassi. The supreme head of the order is the Mama
Behku ; the next in importance is the Yamama, followed
by Kambehs of different positions—the Kambeh Mambu,
the Kambeh Kehwai, Kambeh Maba, and Kambeh Mama.
This last is also the sword-bearer. There are three men
drummers, who perform upon a long wooden drum, called
Kerch.