| 释义 |
Poro|ˈpɒrəʊ|
Also poro, Porro, purra, Purrow.
[W. Afr.]
The name of a secret tribal cult for men, based on circumcision and a school of initiation, which is widespread amongst tribes in Sierra Leone and Liberia, and is socially powerful; the head of such a tribal group; also attrib. Cf. Sande.
1788J. Newton Thoughts upon Afr. Slave Trade 15 The Purrow has both the legislative and executive authority. Ibid., Everything belonging to the Purrow is mysterious and severe. 1803T. Winterbottom Acct. Native Africans Sierra Leone I. viii. 135 They [sc. the Bulloms] have a superior, or head purra man, assisted by a grand council. 1925T. N. Goddard Handbk. Sierra Leone iii. 57 Initiation into the Porro society takes place in youth. While boys remain in the Porro bush they are taught the arts and crafts of their tribe. 1930R. P. Strong Afr. Republ. Liberia I. v. 83 The poro or presiding official of the society also uses signs to indicate the entrance to the bush school. 1954E. Warner Trial by Sasswood (1955) ix. 161 The Loma have the most vigorous of Poro cults and are credited with having introduced the Poro into Liberia. 1962C. Fyfe Hist. Sierra Leone xx. 571 Those who planned the rising had used the Poro as a cover to ensure secrecy. 1968Harris & Sawyerr Springs of Mende Belief i. 1 The principal tribal cults, poro and sande... Poro..is made manifest by a series of rites and ceremonies depicting death to the early stages of life, and re-birth through resurrection to adulthood. |
