AFRICAN CAMP FIRES 



At the end of the ten days they return to the man- 

 yattas, A three-day n'goma, or dance, now com- 

 pletes their transformation to the El-morani class. 

 It finishes by an obscene night dance, in the course 

 of which the new warriors select their partners. 



For ten or twelve years these young men are El- 

 morani. They dwell in a separate manyatta. With 

 them dwell promiscuously all the young unmarried 

 women of the tribe. There is no permanent pairing 

 off, no individual property, no marriage. Nor does 

 this constitute flagrant immorality, difficult as it may 

 be for us to see that fact. The institution, like all 

 national institutions, must have had its origin in a 

 very real need and a very practical expediency. 

 The fighting strength of the tribe must be kept up, 

 and by the young and vigorous stock. On the other 

 hand, every man of military age must be foot free 

 to serve in the constant wars and forays. This 

 institution is the means. And, mind you, unchastity 

 in the form of illicit intercourse outside the manyatta 

 of the El-morani, whether with her own or another 

 tribe, subjects the women to instant death. 



The El-morani in full fighting rig are imposing. 

 They are, as I have explained, tall and of fine phy- 

 sique. The cherished and prized weapon is the 

 long, narrow-bladed spear. This is five and six feet 

 long, with a blade over three feet by as many inches, 



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