THE CHURLS OF WASIN. 



109 



(Wasin Island), near Mombasa,' a term which he 

 translates ' lions,' and identifies with the Zimba 

 invaders of Do Couto. There is, however, a dis- 

 trict of that name between "Wasin and Gasi ; 

 and it may be connected with the range crossed 

 by M. B^ebmann, in 1847, and usually written 

 Shimba. In the interior the word Masimba is 

 used when addressing man or woman, and the 

 root appears to be identical with that of the 

 Vazimba or aborigines of Ankova. The people 

 of Wasin send caravans of 100 men to the in- 

 terior, via Wanga Bandar. They set out about 

 the end of Eebruary, make some 20 marches, and 

 return with ivory and slaves after about four 

 months. 



Landing, we found the shore crowded with 

 unarmed spectators, who did not even return our 

 salams : we resolved in future to reserve such 

 greetings for those who deserve them. After 

 sitting half an hour in a mat- shed, redolent 

 with drying cowries and dignified with the 

 name of Burzeh, or Custom House, presided over 

 by a young Bolirah from Cutch, we were civilly 

 accosted by an old man, whose round head 

 showed him to be a Hindostani. Abd el Karim 

 led us to his house, seated us in chairs upon the 

 terrace, and mixed for us a cooling sherbet in a 



