102 EASTERN ETHIOPIA viii 



native iron, or imported iron wire. An incision is made 

 in the scrotum to expose the gland, wliicli is tlien pulled 

 out by main force. Both testicles are extracted through 

 a single incision. The animal is then bled from the 

 jugular vein, the opening in the vein being made by 

 shooting a blocked arrow into it. The blood is collected 

 in calabashes to be drunk at the end of the day. As 

 the bull joins the herd, the wife of the operator smears 

 its back with cow-dung for luck. (R. J. Stordy.) 



The Masai not only act as veterinarians, but they 

 practise surgery. In treating comminuted fractures 

 they cut down upon the fragments, remove the splinters, 

 bring the broken edges into contact, and suture the 

 wound with sinews from the back of the ox. This is 

 on a level with tlie best modern surgery. When it is 

 realised that a man's bone cannot be mended, the 

 surgeons fasten a ligature round the limb and ampu- 

 tate it. (Hollis. ) 



These shepherd warriors are dignified men ; they are 

 born orators and conduct lengthy arguments. They 

 are also wags in their way, and exhibit their wit at the 

 expense of the Swahili, whom they despise. The Masai 

 rarely smoke and do not take intoxicating drink : they 

 reckon time l)y the sun, and fix dates Ijy the moon and 

 rain. There are two rainy seasons annually. Their 

 kraals consist of low, ol)long, round-topped huts, 

 placed end to end, surrounding a circular enclosure 

 with a diameter of thirty or forty feet which is used 

 as the .'tockyard. The framework of the huts is wood 

 and wickerwork filled in with a mixture of cow-dung 

 and mud. The doorway of the hut is a hole which 

 looks towards the stockyard. In building the huts the 

 rafters are completely hidden with the cow-dung and 

 mud mixture except one which protrudes beyond the 

 door : " It is said to be watching the cattle " (Hollis). 

 Outside the continuous line of huts, a strong thorn 

 fence (boma) affords protection against man and wild 

 beasts. 



