DIFFERENCES OF CHARACTER. 



339 



a Neapolitan ; yet his efforts in wit are of the feeblest 

 that can be conceived. 



Though the general features of character correspond 

 throughout the tribes in East Africa, there are also 

 marked differences. The Wazaramo, for instance, are 

 considered the most dangerous tribe on this line : cara- 

 vans hurry through their lands, and hold themselves 

 fortunate if a life be not lost, or if a few loads be not 

 missing. Their neighbours, the Wasagara of the hills, 

 were once peaceful and civil to travellers : the persecu- 

 tions of the coast-people have rendered them morose and 

 suspicious ; they now shun strangers, and, never know- 

 ing when they may be attacked, they live in a constant 

 state of agitation, excitement, and alarm. After the 

 Wazaramo, the tribes of Ugogo are considered the most 

 noisy and troublesome, the most extortionate, quarrel- 

 some and violent on this route : nothing restrains these 

 races from bloodshed and plunder but fear of retribution 

 and self-interest. The Wanyamwezi bear the highest 

 character for civilisation, discipline, and industry. In- 

 tercourse with the coast, however, is speedily sapping 

 the foundations of their superiority : the East African 

 Expedition suffered more from thieving in this than in 

 any other territory, and the Arabs now depend for 

 existence there not upon prestige, but sufferance, in 

 consideration of mutual commercial advantage. In pro- 

 portion as the traveller advances into the interior, he 

 finds the people less humane, or rather less human. 

 The Wavinza, the Wajiji, and the other Lakist tribes, 

 much resemble one another: they are extortionate, 

 violent, and revengeful barbarians ; no Mnyamwezi 

 dares to travel alone through their territories, and small 

 parties are ever in danger of destruction. 



In dealing with the East African the traveller cannot 



z 2 



