XV 



THE MASAI 



181 



extracted the whole expression of the mouth is 

 rather peculiar. 



Another feature which strikes the stranger very 

 much is the enormous size of the earlobes, as from 



"THE MASAI HAVE A HABIT OF DISTORTING THEIR EARS." 



the days of their childhood the Masai have a habit 

 of distorting their ears so that the lobe hangs down 

 to a great length over the shoulder. This is con- 

 sidered a great beauty both by men and women, and 

 they succeed in acquiring it by first making a small 



