310 



THE LAKE REGIONS OF CENTRAL AFRICA. 



till their curiosity is satisfied, and unmercifully quizzing 

 his peculiarities. Upon the road a mob of both sexes will 

 press and follow a caravan for miles. The women, carry- 

 ing their babes in leopard-skins bound behind the back, 

 and with unveiled bosoms, stand or run, fiercely shouting 

 with the excitement of delight, and the girls laugh and 

 deride the stranger as impudently as boys would in more 

 modest lands. Yet, as has been said, this curiosity argues 

 to a certain extent improvability ; the most degraded 

 tribes are too apathetic to be roused by strange sights. 

 Moreover, the Wagogo are not deficient in rude hos- 

 pitality. A stranger is always greeted with the " Yam- 

 bo " salutation. He is not driven from their doors, as 

 amongst the Wazaramo and Wasagara; and he is readily 

 taken into brotherhood. The host places the stool for 

 his guests, seating himself on the ground : be prepares 

 a meal of milk and porridge, and on parting presents, 

 if he can afford it, a goat or a cow. The African 

 " Fundi " or "Fattori " of caravans are rarely sober in 

 Ugogo. The women are well disposed towards strangers 

 of fair complexion, apparently with the permission of 

 their husbands. According to the Arabs, the husband 

 of the daughter is also de jure the lover of her mother. 



The Sultan amongst the Wagogo is called Mtemi, a 

 high title. He exercises great authority, and is held in 

 such esteem by his people, that a stranger daring to 

 possess the same name would be liable to chastisement. 

 The ministers, who are generally brothers or blood- 

 relations, are known as Wazagira (in the singular Mza~ 

 gira), and the councillors, who are the elders and the 

 honourables of the tribe, take the Kinyamwezi title 

 " Wanyapara." 



The necessaries of life are dear in Ugogo. The people 

 will rarely barter their sheep, goats, and cows for plain 



