288 
AMBAKISTAS — BA8HINJE. 
order to socure the first chances of trado in wax. I have 
oelbro remarked on the knowledge of reading and writing 
that these Ambakistas possess; they are famed for their 
love of all sorts of learning within their reach, a knowledge 
of tho history of Portugal, Portuguese law, &c. &c. They 
are remarkably keen in trade, and aro somotimes callod 
whe Jews of Angola. Thoy are employed as clorks and 
writers, their fominino delicacy of constitution enabling 
them to writo a fino lady’s hand, a kind of writing much 
esteemed among tho Portuguese. Thoy are not physically 
equal to tho European Portuguese, but possoss considerable 
ability ; and it is said that half-castes, in tho courso of a 
fow generations, return to tho black color of tho maternal 
ancestor. 
Iho Bashinjo, in whose country wo now aro, seem to 
possess moro of tho low negro character and physiognomy 
than either tho Balonda or Basongo; their color is generally 
dirty black, forohoads low and compressed, nosos flat and 
much expanded laterally, though this is partly owing to 
the aim spreading ovor tho checks, by the custom of insert- 
ing bits of sticks or reeds in tho septum ; their teeth aro 
deformed by being filed to points; their lips aro large- 
Thoy mako a nearer approach to a goneral negro appear- 
ance than any tribes I met; but I did not notico this on 
my way down. They cultivate pretty largely, and rely upOD 
their agricultural products for their supplies of salt, flesh, 
tobacco, &c. from Bangalas. Their clothing consists of 
pieces of skin hung loosely from tho girdle in front and 
behind They plait their hair fantastically. Wo saw some 
women coming with their hair woven into tho form of » 
European hat, and it was only by a closer inspection that 
its naturo was detected. Othors had it arranged in tufts, 
with a throofold cord along tho edge of each tuft; while 
Others, again, follow tho ancient Egyptian fashion, having 
tho wholo mass of wool plaited into cords, all hanging 
down as far as tho shouldors. This modo, with tho some- 
what Egyptian cast of countenance in other parts of Bonds, 
