THE RAVINE DISTRICT 



47 



is broad and leaf-shaped. The sword is of the Masai pattern, 

 heavier towards the pointed end than at the hilt. The arrows are 

 carried in a leathern quiver which has an ornamental tuft of 

 ostrich feathers and is slung from the back. One of the men 

 wore a short grass-apron, but the majority had adopted the 

 Masai style of wrapping a piece of cotton cloth round the body, 

 passing it over one shoulder, and letting it reach half-way down 

 the thighs. The Wakikuyu are extremely fond of ornaments, 



WAKIKUYU MEN. 



and deck themselves out with beads, iron-wire, and brass, in the 

 shape of ear-rings, necklaces, bracelets, and anklets. Their huts 

 are hidden away in the woods, as a protection against enemies ; 

 and for a similar reason they do not keep poultry, as they are 

 afraid that the crowing of the cocks might betray the where- 

 abouts of their dwellings. 



They are always cutting down parts of the forest in order 

 to plant the clearings with various sorts of native corn, sweet- 

 potatoes, yams, and casava ; but such constant and ruthless 

 destruction of the forests must bring its own punishment some 

 day. It is not as if there were no other land for them to till, 



