90 NEW AFRICA. 



with the noticeable adornments. They seem to have few amusements, but, 

 like many other African tribes, are partial to games of chance, or gambling. 

 Bao, as their most popular gambling game is called, is represented in full 

 swing in the accompanying illustration. 



Generally speaking the Masai of today are dignified and self-contained, 

 capable agriculturists and herdsmen, quick witted and possessed of considerable 

 oratorical ability. They are a mixed Ethiopian and negro race, those in whom 

 the former blood predominates having good features — so good, in fact, that, 

 barring their chocolate color, they would pass for Europeans. Their 

 general appearance, bravery and adaptability to military discipline are 

 so much in their favor that many of them have been incorporated into the 

 King's African Rifles and are employed with good effect in the British 

 work of "pacification." With the Swahili, the Masai have given names 

 to the animals of British East Africa. 



THE SWAHILI AND KIKUKU. 



The Swahili are perhaps the most polished and sedate of any of the 

 native tribes of Central and East Africa. They are noted traders, are 

 Mohammedans and, in their flowing white garments, much resemble the 

 Arabs. They number fully a million souls and have their pretty villages 

 and bazaars as far east as Mount Kenia. 



It is said that the Kikuyu, between Nairobi and Mount Kenia, num- 

 ber some 300,000 souls, and, although they have made as much progress 

 as any native tribe in agriculture, they are considered unreliable as citi- 

 zens and the protectorate police are obliged to keep a keen eye out for 

 them. Further to the west and north, from the Mau escarpment to the 

 Laikipia Plains and beyond are the villages and huts of the Wandorrobo, 

 scattered along the Tana and its tributaries and hidden in the depths of 

 the forests. They are among the oldest professional black hunters in 

 Africa and will be exterminated before they become farmers. They are 

 exceedingly primitive and live mostly on game and honey. 



NAKED TRIBES NEAR VICTORIA NYANZA. 



The country from Kibigori station to Kavirondo Gulf (the eastern 

 arm of Lake Victoria Nyanza) was inhabited by tribes who, notwith- 

 standing the present-day influences of several years, might still have 

 just emerged from the Garden of Eden — many even minus the prover- 

 bial fig-leaf. The females load themselves with bead necklaces and other 



