194 THE woinien: their dress and ornaments. 



We did not join in the dance, but amused ourselves with ad- 

 miring the ladies. What with their charms, which were by 

 no means inconsiderable, and the wonderful regard they 

 evinced for us, these damsels all but ruined our peace of 

 mind. 



The features of the Ovambo women, though coarse, are 

 not unpleasing. When young they possess very good figures. 

 As they grow older, however, the symmetry gradually dis- 

 appears, and they become exceedingly stout and ungainly. 

 One of the causes of this is probably to be found in the heavy 

 copper ornaments with which they load their wrists and an- 

 kles. Some of the ankle-rings must weigh as much as two 

 or three pounds, and they have often a pair on each leg. 

 Moreover, their necks, waists, and hips are almost hidden 

 from view by a profusion of shells, cowries, and beads of ev- 

 ery size and color, which sometimes are rather prettily ar- 

 ranged.* Another cause of their losing their good looks in 

 comparatively early life is the constant and severe labor 

 they are obliged to undergo. In this land of industry no 

 one is allowed to be idle, and this is more especially the 

 case with the females. Work begins at sunrise and ends at 

 sunset. 



The hair of both men and women is short, crisp, and 

 woolly. With the exception of the crown, which is always 

 left untouched, the 'men often shave the head, which has the 

 effect of magnifying the natural prominence of the hinder 

 parts of it. The women, on the other hand, not satisfied 

 with the gifts nature has bestowed upon them, resort, like 

 the polished ladies of Europe, to artificial exaggerations. 

 They besmear and stiffen the hair with cakes of grease and a 

 vermilion-colored substance, which, from being constantly 

 added to and pressed upon it, gives to the upper part of the 



* These ornaments, together with a narrow and soft piece of skin 

 in front, and another behind of stout hide, constitute the dress of the 

 Ovambo ladies. 



