234 
Seven Years in Central Africa. 
BOUNDARIES OF THE KINGDOM. 
The actual boundaries of the present Garenganze empire are 
— on the east the Luapula river; on the west the Lualaba; on the 
south the hills dividing the Zambesi and the Congo water 
systems ; and to the north the Lupemba and Moero lakes. But 
in addition a large district of country beyond these limits is 
tributary to Msidi, though not under his own immediate rule. 
MSIDI'S WIVES AND MINOR CHIEFS. 
In order to render the government of this vast territory secure, 
Msidi appointed minor chiefs in the great centres of population. 
Each of these receives from him an omande shell as a sign of 
office. These minor chiefs appoint their own officials, one of 
whom wears a shell on his breast, and is called the " mother " of 
the chief, because of the part he takes on the day of coronation, 
when the chief, after days of close confinement, is brought forth 
on the shoulders of his "mother." Another official wears two 
lion's claws, fitted into one another so as to form a circle, which 
hangs from a strip of lion's hide worn round the neck. He is 
called "the man under the bed," as it is his duty to lie there 
during the time that the chief is confined to his hut. These 
minor chiefs are each supposed to have some relative married to 
Msidi, and these wives of the king are really their " friends at 
court," through whom all communications with Msidi are carried 
on. Msidi also employs these women as officers of state, and 
they have often other districts to superintend besides those ruled 
over by their own relatives. 
IVORY, MSIDI'S ONLY TRIBUTE. 
The minor chiefs have charge of the government in their own 
districts, but all serious cases that arise have to be referred to the 
king, who reserves to himself the right of taking human life. 
The minor chiefs are supposed to bring all ivory as tribute to the 
capital; but rubber, slaves, and other articles of trade of less 
value, are left at their own disposal. To secure this ivory tribute 
the king has many officers stationed all over the country, whose 
duties are to watch and report upon the conduct of these sub- 
rulers, and to take especial care that all ivory is sent to the 
