THE ETHIOPIAN RACE. 



213 



the visit would be impossible. For the last eighty-five years, or since 

 the time of his grandfather, the Patta people have not been able to go 

 into the Galla country. In person, the Galla are tall and good-looking, 

 and resemble the M'Knafi, with whom they often tight; both nations 

 having precisely the same description of hair. The Galla have strong 

 beards, but these are habitually clipped. They have no bows; and 

 in warfare, they use oidy the spear, (which is held and is not thrown,) 

 protecting themselves with shields. They are very much afraid of 

 firearms." 



A ' Vagugna' man, from Rassini, a town on the coast near Patta, 

 subsequently called on me, and assured me that he had travelled in 

 the Galla country; and he made the following statement. "After the 

 death of the former Sultan of Patta, there remained two brothers, who 

 were enemies; and when one of them returned from Muscat; the 

 other, withdrew with all the soldiers into the Galla country, and ob- 

 tained protection from the king of the Galla. These two rival bro- 

 thers died ; and the present Sultan of Patta is a fourth brother, and 

 the son of a Galla woman ; but they all had one father." 



My informant, was "one of the soldiers above-mentioned ; and he 

 was two months in going to Bararata, travelling always west, towards 

 sunset, in which direction the country is all Galla. The Gololy Galla 

 are next. After the first day's journey, he crossed no large river; but 

 there was no difficulty in finding water to drink, and towns to sleep 

 in. No molestation was off"ered on the route, it being given out, that 

 the party was going to visit the king. Rice was carried for provision ; 

 and sometimes the people of the country tasted it, but they invariably 

 threw it away, and contemned the eating of such trash.* He re- 

 mained among the Galla for ten months, and he afterwards spent 

 two, in returning to the coast." 



"The Bararata eat beef, which they cook in boiling water; and 

 they mix blood and milk together for drink. They have no corn, rice, 

 nor bananas. Weemhi (Eleusine coracana), is sometimes planted by 

 their slaves; but the Bararata themselves eat only milk and meat. 

 The men have strong: beards, sometimes two feet lontr; and the king 

 has one which is very large. They sl)ave the head, which is always 

 kept uncovered. Tliey take as many wives as they please; and they 

 live in skin-houses; and are good people. They have donkeys, but 

 not horses. They go out to fight, every day ; they fight Wama and 



* Compare llurnd.itus, 'I'hulia, 22 and 23. 

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