122 Wanderings in Eastern Africa. 
draws Pxcar. Should accident or any circumstance 
prevent this being done, they have to be buried 
outside the gate ; but even then they are usually con- 
veyed and interred as near to it as possible. Common 
people are buried in any place that may be selected 
for the purpose outside the ^^Kaya." Exceptional 
cases, such as those who have no friends, criminals, 
etc., are not buried ; these are thrown aside into the 
woods, or among the rocks to be devoured by hysenas. 
The Wanika erect memorial posts, grotesquely 
carved and bedaubed with paint, at the head of the 
grave, and at certain times they clear away the 
weeds, and make sadaka" (sacrifice) to the manes of 
the departed by pouring palm wine upon the graves, 
scattering over them a little grain, and be-sprinkling 
them with the blood and ofifal of fowls, goats, etc. 
The greatest funeral ceremonies held by the Wanika 
are those which they get up on the death of hysenas. 
They regard that animal with the most singular 
superstition. They look upon it as one of their 
ancestors, or in some way associated with their origin 
and destiny. The death of the hysena is the occasion 
of universal mourning. The " mahanga " (wake) held 
over a chief is as nothing compared to that over the 
hyaena. One tribe only laments the former, but all 
tribes unite to give importance to the obsequies of the 
latter. We have hitherto endeavoured in vain to 
ascertain the origin of this peculiar custom, and to 
read its significance ; the Wanika cannot explain it 
themselves. To all your questions the only reply you 
can get is, 'Tt is our * ada,"' (custom). 
The dwellings and utensils of the Wanika are of the 
most primitive kind. The ordinary hut is an oblong 
