308 . THE LAKE REGIONS OF CENTRAL AFRICA. 



sembling that of the southern Kafirs, and the Wa'ungu 

 carry large pavoises of bull's hide. It is probable 

 that the exceeding humidity of the climate, so ruinous 

 to leather, prevents the general adoption of the shield ; 

 on the march it is merely an encumbrance, and the 

 warrior must carry it on his head beyond the reach of 

 the dewy grass. 



The maritime races, the Wazegura, and others oppo- 

 site the island of Zanzibar, have imprudently been allowed 

 to purchase fire-arms, which they employ in obstructing 

 caravans and in kidnapping-commandos against their 

 weaker neighbours. A single German house has, it is 

 said, sold off 13,000 Tower muskets in one year. The 

 arms now preferred are those exported by Hamburg and 

 America ; they fetch 4 dollars each ; the French single- 

 barrel is somewhat cheaper, averaging 3 dollars 50 cents. 

 In the interior fire-arms are still fortunately rare — the 

 Arabs are too wise to arm the barbarians against them- 

 selves. In Unyamwezi an old gun is a present for a chief, 

 and the most powerful rulers seldom can boast of more 

 than three. Gunpowder is imported from Zanzibar in 

 kegs of 10 and 25 lbs., bearing the American mark ; it is 

 of the description used in blasting, and fouls the piece 

 after a few discharges. The price varies at Zan- 

 zibar from 3 dollars 50 cents to 7 dollars, and upon the 

 coast from 5 to 10 dollars per small keg ; in Unyamwezi 

 ammunition is exchanged for ivory and slaves, and some 

 Arab merchants keep as many as thirty kegs in the house, 

 which they retail to factors and traders at the rate of 1 

 to 2 shukkahs per lb. 



Swords in East Africa are used only by strangers. 

 The Wasawahili and the slave-factors prefer the kittareh, 

 a curved sabre made in Oman and Hazramaut, or, in its 

 stead, an old German cavalry- blade. The Arabs carry 



