XII 



THE KAVIRONDOS 



The Kavirondo bury their dead in a grave dug in the 

 middle of their own hut, but the habitation is not used 

 again. A chief or other person of importance is buried 

 in the floor of his own hut in a sitting position, with 

 the head protruding just above the ground. The 

 exposed head is covered with an earthenware pot and 

 the principal wives watch it, until the ants have 

 completely cleared the skull 

 of flesh ; the skeleton is then 

 dug up and re-interred near 

 at hand. (Johnston.) 



Those who know the Kavi- 

 rondos best ascribe to them 

 a higher code of morality 

 than exists in other tribes 

 inhabiting the East Africa 

 Protectorate, especially those 

 which make the greatest 

 efforts to hide their naked- 

 ness. Judging from inquiries 

 I made on this matter it ap- 

 peared to me that morality 

 is a thing which has no 

 meaning among Africans. 



It is an odd contrast to 

 their complete nakedness 

 that the men adorn their 

 heads with circlets of 

 hippopotamus ivory, tusks 

 of the wart-hogs, large tufts 

 of black ostrich feathers, or the long tails of birds. 

 They also construct hats of gigantic size which are worn 

 on important occasions. These hats, made of basket- 

 work plastered with clay, adorned with feathers, ante- 

 lopes' horns, and similar things, are sometimes six 

 feet high. These fantastic head-dresses always interest 

 travellers. 



Kavirondo Milkmaid. 



