XXXIX 

 NOTES ON THE MASAI 



IT IS in no way my intention to attempt a com- 

 prehensive description of this unique people. 

 My personal observation is, of course, inadequate 

 to that task, and the numerous careful works on 

 the subject are available to the interested reader. 



The southern branch of the race, among whom 

 we were now travelling, are very fine physically. 

 Men close to seven feet in height are not at all 

 uncommon, and the average is well above six. They 

 are strongly and lithely made. Their skins are a 

 red-brown or bronze, generally brought to a high 

 state of polish by liberal anointing. In feature 

 they resemble more the Egyptian or Abyssinian than 

 the negro cast of countenance. The women are tall 

 and well formed, with proud, quaintly quizzical 

 faces. Their expressions and demeanour seem to 

 indicate more independence and initiative than is 

 usual with most savage women, but whether this is 

 actually so or not, I cannot say. 



On this imposing and pleasing physical foundation 



310 



