288 AMBAKISTAS — BASHINJE. 



order to secure the first chances of trade in wax. I have 

 nefore remarked on the knowledge of reading and writing 

 that these Ambakistas possess; they are famed for their 

 love of ali sorts of learning within their reach, a knowledge 

 of the history of Portugal, Portuguese law, &c. &c. They 

 are remarkably keen in trade, and are sometimes called 

 the Jews of Angola. They are employed as clerks and 

 writers, their feminine delicacy of constitution enabling 

 them to write a fine lady's hand, a kind of writing much 

 esteemed among the Portuguese. They are not physically 

 equal to the European Portuguese, but possess considerable 

 ability; and it is said that half-castes, in the course of a 

 few generations, return to the black color of the maternal 

 ancestor. 



The Bashinje, in whose country we now are, seem to 

 possess more of the low negro character and physiognomy 

 than either the Balonda or Basongo; their color is generally 

 dirt} 7 black, foreheads low and compressed, noses flat and 

 much expanded laterally, though this is partly owing to 

 the alse spreading over the cheeks, by the custom of insert- 

 ing bits of sticks or reeds in the septum ; their teeth are 

 deformed by being filed to points; their lips are large. 

 They make a nearer approach to a general negro appear- 

 ance than any tribes I met; but I did not notice this on 

 my way down. They cultivate pretty largely, and rely upon 

 their agricultural products for their supplies of salt, flesh, 

 tobacco, &c. from Bangalas. Their clothing consists of 

 pieces of skin hung loosely from the girdle in front and 

 behind. They plait their hair fantastically. We saw some 

 women coming with their hair woven into the form of a 

 European hat, and it was only by a closer inspection that 

 its nature was detected. Others had it arranged in tufts, 

 with a threefold cord along the edge of each tuft; while 

 others, again, follow the ancient Egyptian fashion, having 

 the whole mass of wool plaited into cords, all hanging 

 down as far as the shoulders. This mode, with the some- 

 what Egyptian cast of countenance in other parts of Londa, 



