THE WAZAKAMO. 



115 



man receives in a leaf his brother's blood, which, mixed 

 with oil or butter, he rubs into his own wound. An 

 exchange of small presents generally concludes the rite. 

 It is a strong tie, as all men believe that death or 

 slavery would follow its infraction. The Arabs, to whom 

 the tasting of blood is unlawful, usually perform it by 

 proxy. The slave " Fundi," or fattori, of the caravans 

 become brothers, even with the Washenzi, whenever 

 they expect an opportunity of utilising the relationship. 



The second custom is more peculiar. The East Afri- 

 can dares not appropriate an article found upon the road, 

 especially if he suspect that it belongs to a fellow tribe- 

 man. He believes that a " Kigambo," an unexpected 

 calamity, slavery or death, would follow the breach of 

 this custom. At Zungomero a watch, belonging to the 

 Expedition, was picked up by the country people in the 

 jungle, and was punctually returned, well wrapped round 

 with grass and leaves. But subsequent experience makes 

 the traveller regret that the superstition is not of a 

 somewhat more catholic and comprehensive character. 



The religion of the East African will be treated of in 

 a future page. The Wazaramo, like their congeners, 

 are as little troubled with ceremony as with belief. In 

 things spiritual as in things temporal they listen to but 

 one voice, that of " Ada," or custom. The most offen- 

 sive scoffer or sceptic in Europe is not regarded with 

 more abomination than the man who in these lands would 

 attempt to touch a jot or tittle of Ada. 



There are no ceremonies on birth-occasions and no 

 purification of women amongst these people. In the 

 case of abortion or of a still-born child they say, " he 

 hath returned," that is to say, to home in earth. When 

 the mother perishes in childbirth, the parents claim a 



i 2 



