76 Wmiderings in Eastern Africa, 
The Wanika set fire to the grass in order to facilitate 
their hunting. To the same cause may be attributed 
the stunted growth of many of the trees, yet some 
fine specimens are met with here and there. The 
Wasuahih are encroaching, year by year, upon this 
portion of Unika. They pay the Wanika a small 
fee, and are then allowed to settle where they please. 
The highland regions are very fine, the scenery is 
often grand, while the exuberant vegetation testifies 
to the capabilities of the soil. The plateau lands of 
Udigo are described as very, very beautiful, and the 
same may be said of the northern districts. In 1865 
we made a tour from Ribe to Kauma, by giving a 
brief account of which some idea may be formed of 
the country and its people. 
After a walk of about four miles, in a northerly direc- 
tion, over hill and down dale, through tall grasses and 
thick bush, with here a small cultivated spot and there 
a clump of palms, we reached the forest in which w^e 
found Kaya Kambe. Kayas are stockaded villages, 
always, for greater security, built in the midst of the 
forest, and generally speaking on elevated ground. So 
we found it in this case. We made the approach by 
a very narrow and ascending path, with impenetrable 
forest on either hand. As we drew nearer to the 
kaya, however, our path widened into a broad avenue, 
the giant growths on either hand extending their 
long arms overhead, mingling their foliage, and creat- 
ing the most perfect shade. Here we were met by the 
Shaha (chief). He was alone. Hearing that we were 
coming, he advanced to meet us, in token of respect, 
and to assure us of a welcome. We entered the kaya 
by what had once been a door, the frame-work of 
