246 



THROUGH JUNGLE AND DESERT 



CHAP. 



sented in these deliberations. The newly married men 

 (that is, those who have been married for a period 

 not so long as five years) are given seats in the coun- 

 cils, but no voice. The home policy of the country 

 and its internal affairs are regulated entirely by the 

 old men. The foreign policy (if their dealings with 

 neighbouring tribes may fittingly be thus designated) 

 and the defence of their native land rest entirely in 

 the hands of the warriors ; although in case of invasion 

 every able-bodied man is supposed to render all assist- 

 ance in his power. 



For many years the warriors of the Embe nation 

 have not indulged in attacks upon neighbouring 

 tribes. Some years ago, however, the Masai were 

 accustomed to pasture their flocks on the Leikipia 

 plateau, but a few days journey from the Jombeni 

 range. In those days the young warriors of the 

 Embe country gathered together, formed raiding par- 

 ties of several hundred and ventured forth in search 

 of plunder. If successful, they would bring back many 

 head of cattle from the Masai ; in which case they 

 would give a certain number to the influential men of 

 their village, the remainder being divided among the 

 warriors who composed the raiding party. The spoils 

 were supposedly divided among the warriors according 

 to merit ; that is, the warrior who had performed the 

 doughtiest deeds claimed the greatest share. The 

 divisions of spoil often presented scenes of much more 

 bitter conflict than the preceding raid. It was not 

 always the warrior who had performed the bravest 

 feats at the time of the raid who profited most, for 

 perhaps he was incapacitated by his wounds from 



