426 MATIAMVO'S COUNTRY. 



return ivory and slaves. They possess no cattle, Matiamvo 

 alone having a single herd, which he keeps entirely for the 

 sake of the flesh. The present chief is said to be mild in 

 Iris government, and will depose an under-chief for unjust 

 conduct. He occasionally sends the distance of a hundred 

 miles or more, to behead an offending officer. But though 

 I was informed by the Portuguese that he possesses 

 absolute power, his name had less influence over his sub- 

 jects with whom I came in contact, than that of Sekeletu 

 has, over his people living at a much greater distance 

 from the capital. 



As we thought it best to strike away to the S.B. from 

 Cabango to our old friend Katema, I asked a guide from 

 Muanzanza as soon as the funeral proceedings were over. 

 He agreed to furnish one, and also accepted a smaller 

 present from me than usual, when it was represented to 

 him by Pascoal and Faria that I was not a trader. He 

 seemed to regard these presents as his proper dues ; and 

 as a cargo of goods had come by Senhor Pascoal, he entered 

 the house for the purpose of receiving his share, when 

 Senhor Faria gravely presented him with the commonest 

 earthenware vessel, or which great numbers are brought 

 for this trade. The chief received it with expressions of 

 abundant gratitude, as these vessels are highly valued 

 "because from their depth they can hold so much food or 

 "beer. The association of ideas is sometimes so very 

 ludicrous, that it is difficult to maintain one's gravity. 



Several of the children of the late Matiamvo came to 

 beg from me, but never to offer any food. Having spoken 

 to one young man named Liula (Heavens) about their 

 stinginess, he soon brought bananas and manioc. I liked 

 his appearance and conversation ; and believe that the 

 TBalonda would not be difficult to teach, but their mode 

 of life would be a drawback. The Balonda in this quarter 

 are much more agreeable-looking than any of the in- 

 habitants nearer the coast. The women allow their teeth 

 to remain in their beautifully white state, and would be 

 comely, but for the custom of inserting pieces of reed into 

 the cartilage of the nose. They seem generally to be in 

 good spirits, and spend their time in everlasting talk, 

 funeral ceremonies, and marriages. This flow of animal 

 spirits must be one reason why they are such an indestruc- 

 tible race. The habitual influence on their minds of the 

 agency of unseen spirits, may have a tendency in the same 



