THE PEOPLE OF NYEMPS 



5 



The people of JSTyemps cultivate nothing but dhurra, eleusine, 

 and gourds. The dhurra is an inferior, reddish brown variety, 

 and of the gourds we saw none, for they had all been eaten up. 

 Attempts had been made to cultivate maize brought by traders, 

 but they were not successful. The loamy soil, which soon 

 becomes perfectly hard again, even after heavy rain, makes 

 agriculture very difficult, and there is generally a strong wind 

 blowing in the afternoon, which raises clouds of dust. Large 

 tracts of ground are divided, like a chess-board, into plots from 

 three to four miles square, with a layer of soil only some few 

 inches thick. Many of these plots were now lying fallow, and 

 it is evident that the nature of the soil makes its cultivation 

 extremely arduous, and that much care in arranging a rotation 

 of crops is needed. For irrigation, the natives make a number 

 of artificial channels carrying off the water of the brooks, and 

 in every way great toil produces only small results, even these 

 often marred by the depredations of the numerous birds. Now 

 and then, too, elephants work havoc in the fields, but the 

 natives know how to deal with them, and pursue them closely 

 with bows and arrows, spears, and burning brands. The Wa- 

 kwafi dare not keep their cattle near their villages for fear of 

 raids, so they are herded in the mountains of Kamasia. 



The people of Nyemps are quite spoiled by the constant and 

 long visits they receive from caravans, and are very exacting 

 about what they will take in payment for their wares. They will 

 have nothing to do with glass beads ; the very smallest quantity 

 of grain must be paid for with stuffs, and for ivory they must 

 have cattle. A considerable tribute was also demanded. 



There were now from 1,500 to 2,000 natives in the village, 

 and we found it quite easy to get guides. Wanyemps are 

 fond of travelling, and able to endure hardships well. But 

 I must close this long digression and return to our camp, 

 which soon presented a lively scene, as our men at once 



