146 



TRADE. 



lost in value. ^ The other exports are holcus, 

 maize, ghi, and Zanzibar rafters, cut near the 

 river mouth, and up stream. 



Trading parties travel to the TJmasai, Chaga, 

 and Nguru countries at all seasons, even when 

 the rainy monsoon makes the higher Panga-ni 

 difficult to cross. As many as 1000 Wasawahili 

 and slavers, directed by a few Arabs, set out, 

 laden with iron and brass wires (Nos. 7 and 8), 

 some 50 of the former to 3 of the latter ; with 

 small brass chains which, fastened together, are 

 used as kilts Mkif u) by the Wamasai ; with Ame- 

 rican domestics, indigo-dyed calicoes (Kiniki), 

 and checks, Avith beads of sorts, especially th(^ 

 white and the blue. Each man carries a pack 

 worth from $15 to $25 : consequently the total 

 venture is of £4000. The caravan reaches its 

 ground in about 20 days, and returns after a 

 period varying between two and six months. The 

 purchase of slaves is not on a large scale ; nor is the 



^ Yet it has not become wholly obsolete. Mr Henry Adrian 

 Churchill, C.B., formerly H. M.'s Consul, Zanzibar, when 

 examined before the Select Committee on slave trade (July 

 13, 1871), made the total amount of exportation from Zan- 

 zibar Island, $1,527,800. Of this $100,000 represented copal ; 

 $2400 stood for hippopotamus' teeth ; $GG8,G00 for ivory ; and 

 $270,000 for slaves. Thus no notice of cowries is taken ; and 

 the trade rivalry of H.M. Eegis and Fabre has succeeded in 

 ])utting down the shell-money. 



