GLIMPSES OF EAST AFRICA AND ZANZIBAR 



US in a small narrow bare room, with a few shelves 

 on the wall on which there were some toys, and a 

 concertina, and some brass things. She rose at our 

 entrance from a red velvet and gold couch ; Mrs. 

 Cave made the presentations and then seated 

 herself on the same couch, while we two found 

 chairs placed ready, belonging to the same suite as 

 the sofa. The Sultana was small and very young 

 looking — she is only about twenty years old. Her 

 head was bound up in a twisted cloth ; a green piece 

 of cord passed under her chin and was tied on the 

 top of her head. Then there were gold chains round 

 her head, holding an Arab mask hiding the fore- 

 head and the nose, but allowing the eyes to 

 show — most unbecoming, it seemed to me. Mrs. 

 Cave told us she did not usually wear the mask 

 in the palace, but it was because we were complete 

 strangers. Then she wore a bright green sort of 

 blouse jacket with a collar, round which was rather 

 common European lace; over this a sort of silk 

 shawl to match, covering the most of her. Her 

 legs appeared below in funny little white tight 

 trousers, close fitting, with frills around the edge 

 at the ankles. For jewellery all she wore were red 

 bead bracelets, and a gold safety pin, like a man's, 

 at her neck — nothing else. 



The conversation was carried on chiefly by Mrs. 

 Cave, in Swahili. We addressed Her Highness as 

 " Bibi " only, the simple title accorded to us always 



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