A VISIT TO THE HAIGAHS. 131 



the gardens in which they grow the 

 arica palm. 



I had never seen a Haigah until I 

 undertook an expedition to visit one of 

 their villages under peculiar circum- 

 stances. During the rains a death had 

 occurred in this village, regarding which 

 it seemed doubtful whether the de- 

 ceased, a young man of twenty, had 

 committed suicide by hanging himself 

 in the cowhouse, as reported by his 

 family, or whether a family quarrel had 

 led to an act of vengeance. 



There was no evidence forthcoming 

 as to the manner of the death, and it 

 seemed to me that an inspection of the 

 place would at least show whether it 

 was possible for a man to hang himself 

 in the manner described. 



