UP THE SHAEI TO GULFBI 



109 



other peculiarities— such as their big stature, sleek appear- 

 ance and timidity, their thinly populated villages and small 



BtJDUMA BOYS 



numbers of women (for none but the Kachellas and head- 

 men have wives) I have since wondered if it be not due to a 

 custom practised for the economy of hfe upon the islands. 

 This idea is further strengthened by the reason given me for 

 the httle brass crescent which many of the chiefs wear in 

 one ear, for I was told that it was inserted in childhood to 

 mark the lucky one of two or more sons born to the wife of 



