xx1 THE MASAI AND OTHER TRIBES ~— 233 
carefully within the skull; this was done, he said, 
to avert evil from himself. The same man asked 
me among many other questions if my country was 
nearer to God than his. I am afraid I was unable 
MASAI GIRLS. 
conscientiously to answer him in the affirmative. 
Formerly the Masai used to spit in the face as a 
mark of great friendship, but nowadays—like most 
other native races—they have adopted our English 
fashion of shaking hands. 
Another very common custom amongst them is 
