SLOPES OF ELGON 
28 
River). In the course of time Arap Kembe was succeeded by 
Elakassissi, who is ambitious and shrewd. 
He quickly realised that his position in the country was 
not prominent and was not likely to be unless some change 
took place. He presented some ivory (which the El-geborit 
say he stole and he says he bought) to Mumia. He then 
organised two successful raids against small chiefs of the 
Elgumi, and obtained about two hundred and fifty cattle. 
A present of cattle w T as sent to Mumia. He made himself 
of use and help to any white men who wished to climb Elgon. 
(The trail which crosses the mountain from north to south 
comes past his village.) 
Finally, when Mumia was asked by the administrative 
officer who was the head of the tribes at the foot of Elgon 
(Masai-Nandi), Elakassissi was named and w T as made headman. 
Lately he has been visited by rinderpest, and has at present 
ten cattle of his own left. His brother has only five. His 
manner of living and habits are similar to the El-geborit, 
although some of the huts in his village are of Kavirondo 
pattern. 
The Kitosh Settlers 
Every year more and more of the Kitosh people (a Bantu- 
speaking race which appears to have a strong leavening of 
Nilotic (Nandi) blood) move up from their plains and settle 
near Elgon. 
Their habits and customs are well known and have been 
described, but one or two notes are of interest. All males 
are circumcised. They make very strong villages defended 
by a large mud wall and a deep ditch. They were apparently 
formerly more addicted to stock-keeping than agriculture, 
although at present they are starting to grow large areas of 
sim-sim as well as their ordinary food-stuffs. 
Many of their customs and habits appear to be copied 
from the Nandi, i.e. the cap made of the stomach of a goat, 
the method of dressing the hair, the ear ornaments, the 
distension of the lobe of the ear, and their arms and their 
ornaments (arm clamps, &c.). 
