MAKRAKA. FRISURES. 373 



bably thinking to escape a request for porters ; so, after a 

 deluge of rain, we were compelled to leave a number of our 

 loads behind, to be forwarded later on, and we then continued 

 our tramp through the mud, and crossing Khor Torre, a 

 swampy runnel, we reached Ondebiri. 



The chief, Grigo, is an old, grey-bearded man, very tall, 

 with well-arranged locks and a pointed, waxed beard ; he is 

 a celebrated tippler, and was accompanied by fifteen portly 

 Yenuses wearing aprons of leaves. I noticed here again the 

 luxuriant growth of hair which distinguishes the Makraka 

 from their neighbours. It is seen in both men and women, 

 and they construct most wonderful frisures by carefully 

 arranging it in small plaits and locks, saturated with fat, 

 gum, and red iron-clay. When their hair is let down, the 

 Makraka women remind one forcibly of the Abyssinians, such 

 as those seen in Gadaref. After a short march, we reached 

 the road coming from Makraka- Sugaire, and then passed 

 through fields, where a number of runnels had to be crossed. 

 When we reached the station at midday, we were received by 

 Nyam-Nyam playing upon musical instruments, singing Mak- 

 raka, screaming Bari women, and the inhabitants of the village 

 — a curious spectacle, which was rendered the more impressive 

 by the appearance of the Indian elephants which marched up 

 to greet us. 



The zeribas of Kabayendi cover a considerable extent of 

 ground, which is usually cultivated, but having been exhausted, 

 it is now left fallow for a time, and is covered by short grass. 

 Few trees are seen, for they have been used up by the large 

 population. Plenty of water can be obtained in Khor Menze ; 

 it is, however, coloured red, and tastes strongly of iron. On 

 this account wells are dug at a short distance from the khor, 

 and cold drinking-water is obtained from them, of a dirty white 

 colour, and still tasting strongly of oxide of iron. The cultiva- 

 tion is as usual. In the officials' gardens, citrons, sweet lemons, 

 papaws, figs, and Anonas thrive very well ; they have all been 

 imported here from Lado. It is curious that the pomegranate, 

 although it thrives well, never bears any fruit in Lado ; the 

 only explanation I can give is, that the trees have been too 

 plentifully watered. Onions and water-melons also thrive well. 



