PERSONAL DECORATION WEAPONS. Q5 



them on the persons of their wives and daughters. They de- 

 light, however, in an amazing quantity of thin leathern 

 "riems" (forming also part of their dress), which they wind 

 around their loins in a negligent and graceful manner. These 

 "riems" — which are often many hundred feet in length — 

 serve as a receptacle for their knobsticks or kieries, their ar- 

 rows, &c., but become, at the same time, a refuge for the 

 most obnoxious insects. 



The women, when they can afford it, wear a profusion of 

 iron and copper rings — those of gold or brass are held in little 

 estimation — round their waists and ankles. 



The weapons of the Damaras are the assegai, the kierie, 

 and the bow and arrow ; they have also a few guns. 



The head of the assegai consists of iron, and is usually kept 

 well polished ; being, moreover, of a soft texture, it is easily 

 sharpened, or repaired, if out of order. The shaft, though, 

 at times, also made of iron, is commonly of wood, the end be- 

 ing usually ornamented with a bushy ox-tail. On account 

 of its great breadth, the assegai is not well adapted for stab- 

 bing, and its weight is such that it can not be thrown to any 

 considerable distance. This weapon, in short, is chiefly used 

 instead of a knife, and, though rather an awkward substitute, 

 it answers the purpose tolerably well. 



The kierie is a favorite weapon with the Damaras. They 

 handle it with much adroitness, and kill birds and small 

 quadrupeds with surprising dexterity. Most savage tribes in 

 Southern Africa use this instrument with great advantage 

 and effect. Thus, in speaking of the Matabili, Harris says, 

 "They rarely miss a partridge or a Guinea-fowl on the 

 wing." In an experienced hand, the kierie becomes a most 

 dangerous and effective weapon, as a single well-directed 

 blow is sufficient to lay low the strongest man. 



The bow and arrow, on the other hand, though a constant 

 companion, is not, with the Damaras, as effective as it ought 

 to be. They never attain perfection in archeiy. At ten or 



