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CUSTOMS. 



initiatory rites resembling masonic degrees. The 

 orders are three, not four as in India, Persia, 

 and ancient Greece ; and traces of such organ- 

 ization, founded as it is upon the ages of man, 

 may be found in many communities of negroes 

 and negroids. The Kru E^epublic, for instance, 

 a pure democracy, flourishing close to the des- 

 potisms of Ashanti and Dahome, makes a triple 

 division of its citizens : the Kedibo, or juye- 

 niles ; the Sedebo, or soldiers (adults) ; and the 

 Gnekbadi, elders and censors. The southern 

 Gallas appear to be divided into 'Toibs,' or 

 officers ; the ' Ghaba,' adult warriors, who wear 

 four Giitu or pigtails, projecting at right angles 

 from the poll ; and the ' Ari,' cadets or aspirants, 

 who have a right to only two. The Wakwafi 

 have the El Moran, warriors, young men who 

 live with their fathers ; the Ekieko, married 

 men; and the Elkijaro or Elkimirisho, elders. 

 The Wanyika split into the Nyere, or young ; 

 the Khambi, or middle-aged ; and the Mfaya, or 

 old. Each degree has its different initiation and 

 ceremonies, with an ' elaborate system of social 

 and legal observances,' the junior order always 

 buying promotion from the senior. Once about 

 every twenty years comes the great festival ^ TJn- 

 yaro,' at which the middle-aged degree is con- 



