AMBAKISTAS.— BASHINJE. 479 



chances of trade in wax. I have before remarked on the knowl- 

 edge of reading and writing that these Ambakistas possess ; they 

 are famed for their love of all sorts of learning within their reach, 

 a knowledge of the history of Portugal, Portuguese law, etc., etc. 

 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 Portu- 

 guese. 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 black population of Angola has become 

 much deteriorated. They are not so strongly formed as the inde- 

 pendent tribes. A large quantity of aguardiente, an inferior kind 

 of spirit, is imported into the country, which is most injurious in 

 its effects. We saw many parties carrying casks of this baneful 

 liquor to the independent chiefs beyond ; and were informed that 

 it is difficult for any trader to convey it far, carriers being in the 

 habit of helping themselves by means of a straw, and then inject- 

 ing an equal amount of water when near the point of delivery. 

 To prevent this, it is common to see large demijohns with padlocks 

 on the corks. These are frequently stolen. In fact, the carriers 

 are much addicted to both lying and thieving, as might be ex- 

 pected from the lowest class of a people on whom the debasing 

 slave system has acted for two centuries. 



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 dirty 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 inserting 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 appearance 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, etc., 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 



