VI 



TRAVELS IN EASTERN AFRICA 



221 



The government of the country is entirely in the 

 hands of the old men, and each little clump of huts 

 has its sage, who settles every dispute which may arise 

 in his neighbourhood. Warriors are armed somewhat 

 after the fashion of the Embe, but with weapons of 

 inferior quality ; so it is fortunate they rarely have 



Ant Hill 



an opportunity of testing their prowess. Marriage is 

 considered a binding tie. When a young man among 

 them wishes a wife, he enters into negotiations with 

 the parents of the chosen creature ; and either serves 

 for a certain length of time on the father's planta- 

 tion, or cultivates a piece of land until he has earned 

 sufhcient to buy seven or eight goats, which he 

 hands over as the purchase price of his bride. 



