NZOIA PLATEAU AND ITS TRIBES 233 



three women (of course of another tribe). The smallest 

 child counts on the tally. When he gives proof of this, he 

 is received formally. Spear and shield are returned to 

 him, and he may drink milk and blood. I tried hard, 

 but in vain, to find from the Elgoa some explanation of 

 this method of removing the tribal ban. All they would 

 say was, that they, the Kamasea, and the Maraquette, 

 only obeyed the customs hancled down to them by their 

 fathers. 



The Cherangang had no such custom. Tribal homicide 

 among them seemed extremely rare. The Cherangang 

 chief had lost three daughters and two wives, some years 

 before, to the raiding Nandi. I asked him whether if he 

 .had the power, he would kill the man who captured them 

 and still held them. For, Enoch Arden like, the old Cheran- 

 gang had made the dangerous trip across the plain, and had 

 one night discovered the exact whereabouts of his missing 

 family. His answer was strangely pathetic. "No," said 

 lie, "why should I? He took them by strength." I am 

 glad to say steps are being taken to bring them back 

 to him. 



The Elgoa woman is allowed much greater freedom 

 than is granted to the Massai. None can be sold by her 

 father (inside the tribe or without) to anyone unless she 

 approves the man. She can and often does, in the early 

 days of her independence, seek out the youth she desires. 

 If she would do this, she must observe the custom of her 

 tribe. She must waylay him in the forest paths and, having 

 met him, wait till he speaks. He says, "What are you looking 

 for?" She, "I am looking for my lover." He, "Well let 

 us go." Henceforth she is his wife, and takes rank as his 

 first wife if he marries other women. 



Their burial customs differ completely from those of 

 any other community. If a man or woman dies leaving 

 children, these take the body and bury it deeply in the ground. 



