The chief motioned them to sit on wooden stumps that formed a ring in the center of the clearing around a pit where a small fire burned. Once they had situated themselves as comfortably as could be expected, which was not very, the chief put a hand on his chest and introduced himself. “Akan,” he said. The four trekkers followed suit. After this the chief pointed to the other men one by one, and they all spoke their names.
Kip and Joan felt somewhat comforted by this ritual. It seemed unlikely a tribe of men would introduce themselves to people they intended to eat.
Once the pleasantries were fulfilled, the women and children began to emerge from their huts. They also wore modest loincloths and nothing else. When all had presented themselves, they immediately resumed what they were doing
