182 IN THE GRIP OF THE NYIKA CHAP. 



hole in the lobe 'of the ear and stretching it by 

 putting a small stick through it, and then thicker 

 and thicker pieces until finally it becomes enormous 

 and capable of holding such ornaments as a mustard 

 tin or a jam pot ! 



I had among my safari a man who once tried to 

 put in as an ear ornament an empty ox-tongue tin. 

 The result was that the lobe split and hung down 

 in two long tassels over his shoulder. When they 

 got in his way too much, he used calmly to take 

 hold of the two ends and tie them up in a knot ! 

 The dress of the ordinary Masai met with in the 

 wilds usually consists of a tanned skin fastened 

 over the shoulder and hanging down below the 

 waist. They are very fond of adorning themselves 

 with brass and copper wire, and the women of 

 the tribe especially use any quantity of it as orna- 

 ments for the arms, legs, and neck. The whole of 

 the leg from ankle to knee is often encased in it, 

 wound round in spirals to form a regular sheath. 

 This must be exceedingly uncomfortable, but the 

 women would endure any martyrdom rather than be 

 deprived of it. 



Both men and women smear their bodies with 

 oil and red clay, and simply put on an extra 

 quantity when they wish to appear particularly 

 smart. 



The life of a Masai divides itself into the three 



