LaBogola: his life amazes and fascinates

              HIS LIFE AMAZES AND FASCINATES
Bata Kindai Amgoza Ibn LoBagola, a member of one of the lost tribes of Israel, was born in primitive savagery in the practically unexplored bush region of the French Soudan, south of Timbuktu.  Being a member of the mysterious tribe of Black Jews, he was brought up in the Judaist religion, belonging to a small sect which observed the Jewish rites in the midst of fetish worshipping tribes.  His people, cruel, savage and superstitious, have been lost for centuries in the heart of darkest Africa.

LoBagola spent his early years on the look-out for apes and hook-lizards and combating the many natural dangers of the jungle.  But at seven, straying from his home, he and his companions, through a strange freak of circumstances, miraculously wandered through the Ondo Bush and came out on the Gulf of Guinea, a journey of at least forty-five days through the practically impassable jungle.

Here his companions were devoured by sharks and LoBagola was kidnapped by a trading vessel and carried to Scotland where he was found running naked through the streets of Edinburgh by a kindly Scotch gentleman who later educated him.  After experiencing the white man's civilization, he returned to his native land, married in one night his allotment of six wives and built a miniature village for them and their progeny.  LoBagola has returned

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to his jungle home five times, each time being received with scorn by his people and so hostile was the tribe at his last visit that he barely escaped to the coast with his life, never to return!

The forty years of his remarkable and unplanned life have been divided between darkest Africa and the most enlightened of present day countries on all continents.  He has lived under conditions as sharply contrasted as the world affords and is, in reality, too refined for the primitive crudities of his tribe and too wild for sophisticated society.  Without question, LoBagola is one of the strangest characters to ever come before the American public and he is the only savage to become articulate enough to tell in frank, realistic English, the customs, taboos and superstitions of his people.



HE IS A TALENTED LECTURER AND A MASTER OF THE SPOKEN TONGUE
Ibn LoBagola is unquestionably a natural orator.  He possesses such powers of speech that he can hold any audience spellbound, whether composed of children or adults, be they uneducated or scholars.  All who hear him marvel at his perfect

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English.  His powers of description are marvelous and his delivery is most forceful.

He is cultured and refined and possesses a commanding appearance on the lecture platform.  His poise is most aristocratic.  In his personality he is as brilliant as he is pathetic and as interesting as he is strange, for there is no other like him either in the jungle or in the capitals of civilization.

Although in his lecture he primarily tells of his own life and adventures, he nevertheless has some keenly-pointed arrows to direct at the white man's civilization.  LoBagola is a witty, fascinating speaker, who one instant has his listeners breathless with some jungle adventure and then has them roaring with laughter at some cunning bit of sarcasm.

LoBagola's amazing tale of jungle terror and tragedy, of humor and pathos, of every-day life in the fastness of the Ondo Bush is without parallel in all literature or on the lecture platform.  His true story reads as if it had been lifted bodily from the pages of the Arabian Nights and his experiences approach the miraculous.  LoBagola is not just another lecturer on Africa!

LoBagola's entire time is spent on the speaker's platform delivering lectures under the auspices of Service Clubs, Churches of all denominations, Lyceum Bureaus, Societies, Organizations, etc.  In addition, he is constantly addressing Public School, College and University Assemblies.  His Folk Tales for little tots are most enjoyable.  He has the uncanny ability to thoroughly interest both young and old, and seldom if ever, has his audience heard enough of his experiences after sitting motionless for two hours or more.

It seems incredible that one could come out of the jungle a savage, as did LoBagola, and so perfectly master our language and the ability to so vividly paint a word-picture of his experiences.  LoBagola is, in himself, a curiosity and is truly a sensation wherever he appears.




HIS EXPERIENCES ARE WITHOUT PARALLEL

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LoBagola's radio broadcasts and the many articles that have appeared about him in the public press make him a speaker who needs little, if any, introduction and one whose services are much sought.  Such leading periodicals as Scribner's Magazine and The Literary Digest quite recently carried interesting accounts of him.  Without question, more columns have been written about LoBagola than any other speaker appearing on the American platform today.

Bata Kindai Amgoza Ibn LoBagola is the author of two books, the last of which is already a best seller and among the most popular in the Public Libraries.

In his life, among other things, LoBagola has taught at the Brothers College, Jerusalem, at the Great Benevolent Coptic School in Tanta, Egypt, and is a former Professor of Oxford University in the department of Social Anthropology.

He has lectured before many of the world's leading Institutions and Organizations and carries the endorsement of many of the world's internationally-known individuals.  He has spoken before The League for Political Education, New York City; Ohio State University; Groton School, Groton, Mass.; Woman's Canadian Club, Montreal; The Executives' Club of Chicago; Syracuse University; Explorer's Club, New York City; Woman's City Club, Boston; University of Pennsylvania; Oxford University; Edinburgh University, Scotland; The Finch School, New York City, and countless Normal Universities, Junior Colleges, and High Schools, as well as Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions Clubs, and other Civic organizations and churches of all denominations.

Ibn LoBagola is truly an outstanding lecturer who will satisfy the most exacting and please the most critical.



WHAT A FEW OF THOSE WHO HAVE HEARD HIM SAY

THE EXECUTIVES' CLUB OF CHICAGO

When LoBagola spoke for us yesterday, the talk was broadcasted over station WGN and of those listening, over 1,000 enthusiastic fans wrote in asking for copies of his talk and exhausting all the expletives in the dictionary extolling the merits of such an unusual program.

From a club standpoint, we considered LoBagola as ranking right out in the forefront of attractions being offered to the public.  His most incredible story has a universal appeal to young and old alike.  It is absorbing, fascinating and captivating.

We cannot conceive how any group of people could possibly be disappointed with a program from LoBagola.

Signed — A. W. MERRIFIELD, Executive Sec'y.



THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
LoBagola appeared at Ohio State University in a public lecture and in a discussion with a group of graduate students and faculty.  His material would appeal both to a public audience and to those more technically trained in the social sciences.  He impressed me as a gentleman and a man of very genuine attainments.

Signed — CECIL NORTH.



DE GRAFF OHIO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
LoBagola talked to our entire school for 50 minutes today and is the only man I have ever seen hold pupils spell-bound from the first to the twelfth grades inclusive.  His lecture in the evening caught the interest of his audience to such a degree that they sat perfectly still for at least two minutes after they had been dismissed.

Signed — PAUL S. ESTEP, Superintendent



SOUTH BEND KNIFE AND FORK CLUB
Ibn LoBagola, who appeared on our program, February 21, 1933, was a most delightful and entertaining speaker.  His message of his life as an African Bushman with his most perfect English and pleasing personality would be an inspiration to any organization which would have him for a speaker.

Signed — W. K. STUDEBAKER.



KANKAKEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
LoBagola's address on Thursday afternoon to the Kankakee High School assembly and in the evening on the program of the Travelers' and Explorers' Club of Kankakee County, was without a doubt one of the most interesting and fascinating programs ever to be presented in Kankakee.  There is little question that his message is so unique, entertaining, educational and fascinating that will please any audience on any occasion.

Signed — N. J. ZIENER, Manager



ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
LoBagola appeared before our Portland Club Tuesday evening, and he gave excellent satisfaction.  I believe his talk would go over with any of our Rotary Clubs and I am glad to recommend him to them.

Signed — CARL BIMEL, Gov. 20th Dist. R. I.



BENNETT SERVICE
LoBagola was a great success here in Elgin.  I think he was the biggest sensation we have had in this town.  People are still talking about him everywhere.  Not only those who saw and heard his amazing story, but those who were not at the lecture also.

Signed — WILLIAM RAINEY BENNETT



WAPAKONETA CITY SCHOOLS
Never have I seen a speaker hold so many pupils from ages 11 to 18 so interested for one hour.  I seldom recommend a speaker to school men but I feel I am justified in making an exception in this case.

Signed — M. R. MENSCHEL, Supt.



LANCASTER HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. LoBagola held the close attention of our high school body for one hour and a half.  He has a most interesting story and you can afford to give him time.

Signed — D. M. HICKSON, Principal