in RACES AND CLASSES 



27 



and their villages are usually surrounded by low walls 

 or fences. It is as agriculturists that they shine, and 

 as such are sure to have a considerable influence on our 

 future prosperity. The eastern shores of the lake, if 

 somewhat unhealthy for Europeans, possess a deep, 

 rich, loamy soil that is second to none in the 

 Protectorate. In the past, the Kavirondo has grown 

 naturally only such crops as he has required for his own 

 food, e.g., maize, sorghun, etc. At the present day, 

 however, the soil and his services are being exploited 

 both by Europeans and Indians in the production of 

 more valuable crops, such as rubber, coffee, sim-sim, 

 cotton, etc. More than ^44,000 worth of native 

 produce was despatched by rail in 1909-10, and 

 ,£66,000 worth in 19 10- n from the district inhabited 

 by the Kavirondo. Seeds of various kinds have been 

 supplied them by the Government, and in this respect 

 it is impossible to speak too highly of the work 

 accomplished for this tribe by the Provincial Com- 

 missioner, Mr. John Ainsworth. Whether this ex- 

 ploiting of a tribe to the detriment of the European is 

 quite so satisfactory is another question, and one on 

 which two very diverse opinions may be held. 



As a labourer the Kavirondo form without doubt the 

 best material in the country. In numbers they are 

 surpassed by the Wa-Kikuyu, but in nearly every 

 other essential they have the advantage over the latter. 

 Thus, in the first place, the men are physically stronger, 

 this being mainly due to the fact that the male 

 Kavirondo has always been accustomed to do a very 

 considerable proportion of the field-work, instead of 

 leaving the whole of it to the womenfolk, as is the case 

 with most tribes. Then he is a much more cheery 

 individual and also more trusting and trustworthy. 



