188 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
broidered neatly with different coloured silks or 
worsteds round the neck, and down the back 
and chest. The cap, which is always white, is 
of a very graceful form, and is also embroidered, 
but with white only. The Maroboos, and men 
advanced in years, wear white turbans, with 
red or blue crowns, occasionally a hat made of 
a sort of rush or grass, having a low conical 
crown, with a broad rim. When on horseback, 
or going to war, the large sleeves of their gowns 
are tied together behind the neck, being brought 
over the shoulders; and the bodies, which would 
be otherwise extremely inconvenient from being 
very loose, are secured round the middle with a 
girdle, which, at the same time, confines their 
powder horn and ball bag on the right side, and 
their grigri, or amulet case, on the left. These 
are all suspended by strong cords of red, yellow, 
or green silk or worsted, and are crossed in the 
same manner as the belts of our soldiers. A 
dirk, about nine inches or a foot long, hangs at 
the right side from the running string or strap, 
which, at the same time, serves to tighten the 
trowsers above the hips. A single, or double- 
barrelled gun, completes their equipment in ge- 
neral ; some of the princes and chiefs, however, 
add a sword, confined at the right side by their 
girdle, and one or two pistols which hang dang- 
ling in thin leather holsters, variously coloured. 
