THE RAVINE DISTRICT 



59 



by a successful campaign under Major Cunningham, though 

 not till some stubborn fights had been won by the discipline 

 and bravery of the Soudanese troops. In one of these en- 

 gagements, 200 of the Wanandi were killed. The natives sued 

 for peace, Nandi Station was built, and the caravan route 

 was carried through their country. 



When I passed that way, I captured a number of new species 

 of butterflies and moths at Patsho and at Rau. 



Nandi is a delightful country, with densely wooded hills and 

 with open valleys suitable for pasturage and tillage. It is not 

 unpleasantly cold, though it is so many thousand feet above 

 the sea-level. 



The Wanandi warriors carry bows and arrows, or else a broad- 

 bladed spear, knobkerry, and Masai sword. They usually offered 

 to us, for sale, pots of honey or skins of the black and white 

 Colobus monkey. The monstrous big lump of wood, which they 

 carry as ear-ring through the lower lobe of the ear, shows that 

 the tyranny of fashion exists also 

 amongst savages. 



The Wanandi women resem- 

 ble the Masai in dress, but they 

 wear different ear-rings. Each 

 ear-ring is a flat spiral, about the 

 size of the palm of the hand, and 

 consists of solid brass wire. It 

 is suspended from the ear by a 

 leather loop. The two heavy ear- 

 rings usually rest on the chest, 

 and are fastened together by 

 a connecting strip of leather. 

 The lower lobe of the ear is 

 dragged down by the weight 

 of brass, till in course of time 

 it nearly touches the shoulder. 

 From Kavirondo as far as Nandi Station I was accompanied 

 by Wakwavi, placed in charge of some heads of Government 

 cattle. These Wakwavi belong to a branch of the great Masai 

 race, and resemble them in dress, weapons, and ornaments. 

 They live scattered among the Wakavirondo. We had some 

 heavy showers of rain, and these men came and crouched under 

 the awnin<^ of my tent. My boys wanted to drive them off, but 



KWAVI. 



KWAVI. 



