xvn MALINGANIRO AND HIS IVORY 179 



him that if he wished to do this, he must first bring 

 his ivory into the boma, have it weighed, and receive 

 export papers made out in the latest European style. 

 Suspecting nothing, Malinganiro took his ivory into 

 the boma only to find himself made a prisoner! 

 Then the old and well-rehearsed farce was enacted 

 once more : to save his life, Malinganiro was 

 obliged openly to acknowledge the supremacy 

 of the Portuguese, and on his submission was 

 released, but his ivory was confiscated, or, as they 

 tactfully put it, ' held as security for the good 

 behaviour of himself and his people.' What 

 Malinganiro thought of this delightful euphemism, 

 it would be difficult to say, but from that hour 

 until his death the Wyao chief made every 

 effort to recompense the Portuguese for their 

 kindness. Malinganiro became a name of terror 

 to the dwellers on the lake shore ; village after 

 village was sacked and burnt ; askaris were way- 

 laid and killed ; mutilation, torture, and death 

 were meted out with impartiality to anyone con- 

 nected with the Portuguese and their detestable 

 rule. 



My memories of Malinganiro are still vivid. 

 He was a short, jolly, rotund man, who passed 

 much of his time drinking beer and smoking 

 bhangi royal occupations in the eyes of a native 

 and yet, in spite of his debauchery, there was about 



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