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MOMBASAH PEOPLE. 



less numerous, are the Wamwita; they derive 

 their origin from a Shirazi Shaykh whose name 

 is locally forgotten. The other and far larger 

 division is the Wakilindi-ni, v/ho trace their 

 name from Kilindi, whence they emigrated to 

 Shungaya alias Shiraz, and eventually to Momba- 

 sah. Originally they occupied on the western 

 shore of the island a separate settlement, which 

 they called after their oldest homes ; they built a 

 tower of stone, surrounded it with a wall, pro- 

 vided it with wells, and thus rendered themselves 

 independent of their patrons. Some remnants 

 of eight other tribes, coast-Arabs who had suf- 

 fered from the invader, also colonized Mwita. 

 Under the rule of the Portuguese an amalgama- 

 tion took place, and the several races all became 

 Wasawahili. The city is now governed by three 

 Shaykhs — of the Arabs, of the Wamwita, and the 

 Wakilindi-ni : they receive a small salary, and 

 they communicate direct with Zanzibar, visiting 

 the Island once a year. Justice is administered 

 by three Kazis similarly chosen : the troops are 

 under a Jemadar, and a Banyan sent by the 

 farmer-general from head-quarters, manages the 

 Custom House. 



The Kisawahili spoken at Mombasah is purer 

 than that of Zanzibar, the result of being nearer 



