MEN OF THE TREES 



ber of the Kiama. It is very old. It began in the days 

 when all our people were as one." He went on to tell me 

 that he could not answer my question, but that he must 

 consult with the older chiefs. 



Three days later he returned to say that my request 

 had been granted and indicated that my initiation would 

 take place three days later if I still desired it. I was 

 to provide the usual initiation fee in the form of two 

 sheep and one goat and when the day arrived I sent on 

 two of my men ahead of me with the fee and later rode 

 over to the scene of the ceremony. When I arrived at 

 the appointed place I found a clear space in the forest 

 and a gathering of two or three hundred Chiefs and 

 Elders. It was evident to me that this was a very special 

 re-union. Many of the members had come from dis- 

 tances of two or three days and there was much for 

 them to talk about. I was, of course, known to most of 

 those present, for I had travelled through their villages 

 within the previous year or so. There seemed to be no 

 hurry to proceed with the ceremony and as I was due 

 in Nairobi for lunch I indicated that I was ready for 

 them to begin. My headman who had made this possible 

 was about to take charge of the proceedings but a mur- 

 mur of dissent arose so he quickly retired into the back- 

 ground. Next the paramount chief came forward, for 

 surely he was the obvious person to take charge on this 

 occasion. Again there was dissent from the gathering. It 

 was then that the oldest man present rose to his feet. 

 He seemed to be bent double with age, but as soon as 



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