NOTES ON THE MASAI 



your true Masai is content to build a very slight 

 superstructure of ornament. His ear-lobes are al- 

 ways stretched to hang down in long loops, in which 

 small medals, ornaments, decorated blocks of wood, 

 or the like, are inserted. Long heavy ovals of 

 ivory, grooved to accommodate the flesh loop, very 

 finely etched in decorative designs, are occasionally 

 worn as "stretchers." Around the neck is a slender 

 iron collar, and on the arms are one or two glittering 

 bracelets. The sword belt is of leather heavily 

 beaded, with a short dangling fringe of steel beads. 

 Through this the short blade is thrust. When in 

 full-dress the warrior further sports on a garter a hol- 

 low iron knee bell, connected with the belt by a string 

 of cowrie shells or beads. Often is added a curious 

 triangular strip of skin fitting over the chest, and 

 reaching about to the waist. A robe or short cloak 

 of short-haired sheepskin is sometimes carried for 

 warmth, but not at all for modesty. The weapons 

 are a long narrow bladed heavy spear, the buffalo 

 hide shield, the short sword, and the war club or 

 runga. The women are always shaven-headed, wear 

 voluminous robes of soft leather; and carry a great 

 weight of heavy wire wound into anklets and stock- 

 ings, and brought to a high state of polish. So 

 extensive are these decorations that they really form 

 a sort of armour, with breaks only for the elbow and 



3" 



