Taveta.. 
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beads, to which was attached a half-moon of bead-work 
in front, so as to fall down over the forehead. Below 
this, fastened round the temples, fell a veil of iron 
chain, hanging to below the lips in closely arranged 
lengths. The neck was laden with beads of all colours 
and sizes. Broad bands, crossing behind and before, 
like a soldier's double belt, hung from each shoulder 
to the opposite side, and heaps upon heaps of beads 
traversed the waist, to which were superadded an 
ornamented belt of leather, faced with the never-absent 
beads. Coils of iron and brass encircled the arms 
and legs, and rings of copper and brass begirt the 
fingers and toes. Long chains of iron were attached 
to the wrist, which when the arm was bent reached 
to the ground. To these were suspended large 
native bells (round plates of iron doubled like a turn- 
over), which made " soft music " whenever the dainty 
creatures moved. They honoured me only with 
their eyes ; they did not let me hear the mellow 
harmony of their voices. They had to see and be 
seen, but not to be heard or spoken to. 
Brides are treated in this manner until they present 
their husbands with a son or daughter, or the hope of 
such a desired event has passed away. In the former 
case the goddess falls to the level of an ordinary 
house-wife ; in the other, well for her if she be not 
despised or even discarded. 
The government of Taveta is in the hands of the 
people, that is to say, there is no government at all. 
The Wataveta are very hospitable and kind to 
strangers, and seem to be at peace with everybody 
except the Masai. I myself saw at Taveta Wasua- 
hili, Wanika, Wateita, Wagogo, Wakuavi, Wakamba, 
