956 LIFE OF DAVID LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



" The only artificial marks I noticed among these people were upon the 

 professional hunters; they consist of numerous lines across the wrist and 

 fore-arm, which are supposed to give the power of shooting straight. The 

 worst superstition noticed by us is one very common in Africa — that of de- 

 stroying any child born with upper teeth. We passed one of these unlucky 

 infants just thrown into the river, and the people seemed to pity our ignor- 

 ance in remarking on the circumstance, and asking for an explanation. 



" Mohammedanism has begun to make way among these people, and, 

 should the country become opened up, is certain to spread rapidly. Already, 

 in most villages, there are a few idle fellows who strut about with shaven 

 heads and make use of Arabic salutations, trying, with poor success, to imi- 

 tate the grave bearing of some true believer whom they may have been 

 associated with during a journey, or have met at a coast-town. They are, 

 however, looked upon as something superior by their fellow-villagers, whom 

 they behold with pity and contempt, although quite unable to teach the new 

 doctrine. If, however, this part of Africa should be visited by coast traders, 

 the arrival of educated Arabs would soon bring about the conversion to Mo- 

 hammedanism of this hitherto exclusive country. 



" Strictly speaking, there is no form of government in Uzaramo. The 

 head of each village has the mildest of feudal rights, and is supposed to render 

 equally light feudal service at the call of the Pazi, or chief of the district. 

 Good proof was afforded of the slight authority of the Pazi of the present day, 

 for the chief of Sagasera district, although, as he said, most anxious to cement 

 eternal friendship by presenting me with a sheep, was unfortunately prevent- 

 ed from doing so by our inability to wait whilst he sent to his town, about 

 four miles distant. If this old gentleman's power had been in the smallest 

 degree of the despotic order, it might have occurred to him to get over the 

 difficulty which so distressed him by accepting the loan of one of the nume- 

 rous fatlings belonging to his sub-chief, which were peacefully grazing around. 

 After the Maviti invasion, however, the few chiefs left seem to have lost all 

 their influence in the country. 



" Slavery in Uzaramo is only known in its least objectionable form ; 

 captives in war, runaways from foreign masters, and even strangers permitted 

 to reside, and cultivate land, are called slaves ; but, except for committing a 

 crime, are not subject to be sold, and their status in no way differs from 

 that of freemen, except that they are for the first year or two on trial, and 

 generally cultivate land assigned to them by the chief, somewhat stronger 

 feudal liabilities being probably entailed thereby. If, after probation, they 

 are approved by the inhabitants, and considered by the elders as an addition 

 to the tribe, they readily obtain wives, and their children become free Waga- 

 ramo. 



" The Wagaramo have always been pre-euiinent as expert thieves j it 



