THE MASAI COSTUME 



composed of black ostrich feathers, on the points, thus 

 serving the double purpose of an emblem of peace and 

 a protection to the sharp-pointed piece of metal. 



When in war dress they carry a shield on the left 

 arm. This is made of buffalo hide and is elHptical in 

 shape, having strange heraldic devices painted on it. 



I beHeve the natives can tell a man's tribe and age 

 from this pattern, but I am not sure on this point, 

 our knowledge of the Swaheli tongue not standing the 

 strain put on it when I tried to find out the precise 

 meaning of the pictures. Round his waist the Masai 

 warrior has a " sime," or sword, carried in a leather 

 sheath. The sword itself is in one piece, the blade 

 spatulate in shape, the grip being made of hide wrapped 

 on raw and then allowed to dry, with the result that 

 the shrinking hide obtains such a grip that it is 

 impossible to get it off. 



On the other side he hangs a club made out of 

 one piece of wood. The head-dress consists of ostrich 

 feathers, arranged rather hke a fire-screen, through 

 which he looks, the whole being fastened under the 

 chin, giving a most bloodthirsty appearance to the 

 face it frames. Sometimes a lion's mane serves as a 

 head-dress, looking uncommonly like a guardsman's 

 busby. 



A cape-like garment is hung over the shoulders, 

 and when this is made from the skin of the beautiful 

 black and white colobus monkey the effect is very 



6 8i 



