350 IN THE GRIP OF THE NYIKA chap. 



Groups of from four to six advanced from each side, 

 and with savage shouts and yells dashed at each 

 other, bounding into the air with great leaps, and 

 making their spears quiver in their hands. They 

 circled round in front of us, feigning to attack each 

 other and making fierce passes in the air, leaping 

 and yelling all the time, until one party retired, 

 pursued by the other. 



This was repeated time after time, until the whole 

 of the company had in turn taken part in the dis- 

 play, after which the two companies united and went 

 round us in a great circle, springing and bounding 

 and hurling defiant words at their absent enemy — in 

 this case the warriors of a chief called Thularia, 

 whose district adjoined. 



During all the time. that this war-dance was going 

 on the women of the tribe kept away at a discreet 

 distance, not daring to come near. Now, however, 

 on its conclusion they approached, decked out in all 

 the finery of the Meru belles, and each with a broad 

 smile on her face, without any bashfulness or timid- 

 ity, selected a favourite warrior, and a peace ingoma 

 commenced. In this the performers made a ring, 

 the men on the outside and the women on the 

 inside, facing each other. Then, with hands on 

 each other's shoulders, they commenced an up-and- 

 down motion, raising themselves on their toes and 

 then sinking down again on their heels, accompanied 



