290 Agricultural and Land produce of Shoa. [No. 148. 



than in the swilling of beer, like hogs, and in those brawling conten- 

 tions which at present stigmatize their nocturnal meetings. 



105. All sleep stark naked, stretched upon bullock hides, and hud- 

 dled close together for mutual warmth, covered with coarse black 

 cumlies; and as the use of the candle is but imperfectly known, and 

 the use of oil a royal prerogative, when not carousing at a neighbour's 

 house, they hurry soon to repose, and start with the first call of the 

 cock to lounge idly about the premises. Their fear of wild beasts and 

 evil spirits in some measure tends to restrain individuals after night- 

 fall within their own walls. They will on no account touch food in a 

 dark hut, and unless a fire be lighted, refrain for hours from satisfying 

 their hunger, under the strange superstition, that the devil would 

 otherwise enter in the dark, and that there would be no blessing upon 

 the meal. 



106. It is the province of the men to plough, sow, and reap, split the 

 wood, and cut the grass; whilst to the women, all the other heavy 

 work is accorded: — making butter and bread, fetching wood, water, 

 and grass, spinning, pounding, and grinding. When released from 

 his immediate avocations the peasant lounges about the village, sits 

 in conversation at a neighbour's house, and amuses himself with a game 

 called " gebeta ;" and at other times, attends the markets, which are 

 held weekly in various parts of the kingdom, the funeral feasts, and 

 the groupes which assemble in the public square to narrate scandalous 

 stories. 



107- He is obliged to follow to the field his immediate governor in 

 all Military expeditions, under a forfeit of eight pieces of salt (20d.) 

 which is strictly enforced. Leave of absence is, however, sometimes ob- 

 tainable by means of a small bribe in cloth or honey; but unless un- 

 avoidably detained, the peasant is at all times ready and willing for 

 the foray, although obliged to furnish arms, conveyance and provision' 

 without payment whatever from the State; yet there always exists the 

 chance of being able to capture a slave or a flock of sheep, of obtaining 

 honour in the sight of the king, or of satisfying his brutal, inherent, 

 lust for blood of the heathen Galla. 



]08. The usual food of the Amhara farmer consists of sour bread 

 made from tef, barley, and wheat, and eaten with a strong decoction 

 of onions, pepper and salt ; milk, eggs and butter are much in use, but 



