190 ANCIENT CUSTOM NANGOEO. 



In the afternoon of the second day after leaving Chi- 

 kor'onkombe's werft we came in sight of the residence of the 

 redoubtable Nangoro. We were not, however, allowed to 

 enter the royal inclosures, but a clump of trees was pointed 

 out to us as our encamping place. 



While arranging our baggage, &c., Chikor'onkombe pro- 

 ceeded to inform his royal master of our arrival, and to state 

 the quantity and quality of the intended presents. Before 

 making his obeisance to his majesty, the Eastern custom of 

 taking off the sandals was carefully attended to. On his re- 

 turn he brought a man carrying some fire, with orders to ex- 

 tinguish ours, and to relight it with that from the king's 

 own hearth. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



Visit from Nangoro. — His extreme Obesity. — One must be fat to wear 

 a Crown. — His non-appreciation of Eloquence. — Singular Effect'^ 

 of Fireworks on the Natives. — Cure for making a wry Face. — Ball 

 at the Palace. — The Ladies very attractive and very loving. — Their 

 Dress, Ornaments, &c. — Honesty of the Ovambo. — Kindness to the 

 Poor. — Love of Country, — Hosj^itality. — Delicate manner of .Eat- 

 ing. — Loose Morals. — Law of Succession. — Eeligion. — Houses. — 

 Domestic Animals. — Implements of Husbandry. — Manner of Tilling 

 the Ground. — Articles of Barter. — Metallurgy. 



We had been nearly three days at Nangoro' s capital be- 

 fore its royal occupant honored our camp with his presence. 

 This unaccountable delay gave us some uneasiness ; yet we 

 could not but surmise that he had been longing to see us 

 during the whole time. I believe it, however, to be a kind 

 of rule with most native princes of note in this part of Af- 

 rica, to keep strangers waiting in order to impress them with 

 a due sense of dignity and importance. 



If obesity is to be considered- as a sign of royalty, Nangoro 

 was " every inch a king." To our notions, however, he was 

 the most ungainly and unwieldy figure we had ever seen. 



