THE SECRET OF THE KIAMA 



the staff of oflSce was handed to him a transformation 

 came over him. He straightened up and rising to his 

 full height, presented an air of dignity, seeming fully 

 ahve to the spirit of the moment. He was next handed 

 a bunch of Muchoraway leaves which he raised above 

 his head. This was a sign to all to attend to the busi- 

 ness in hand. Before this there had been a hum of con- 

 versation but now in an instant all was silent. The only 

 sounds to be heard were the twittering of the birds in 

 trees and the distant bleating of the lambs. 



A sense of solemnity at once pervaded the gathering 

 and as this oldest father of the tribe raised the bunch 

 of Muchoraway leaves above his head I felt that all 

 were engaging in silent prayer. He now called upon 

 N'gai, the High God, to assist him in the ceremony that 

 he was about to perform. The whole company remained 

 seated, all save the solitary veteran who had been chosen 

 High Priest for the day. In a clear voice he invoked the 

 deity to witness that the white man before him was 

 a fit and proper person to be admitted into the Kiama. 

 At the end of each sentence he brought the bunch of 

 leaves down in front of him and everyone present re- 

 plied, "Thai," meaning. Hear, or. So let it be. 



A series of short invocations followed. "That he may 

 have long life." "Thai." "That he may live long with 

 us." "Thai." He then continued, "I call you all to wit- 

 ness that in time of war his voice shall be heard and 

 there will be peace." "Thai," replied the three hundred 

 elders. "I call you all to witness that the staff of office 



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