566 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
El-moran, and in their savage circumstances it was really 
pleasant to see how common it was for a young girl to 
wander about the camp with her arm round the waist of" 
a stalwart warrior. 
Till a war-raid was planned, Moran, our interesting 
protege, found he had nothing to do but make acquaint- 
ances and amuse himself with the girls. His cattle 
were looked after by some poor menials, and though the 
kraal was stationed near a dangerous neighbour, yet no- 
lighting took place. It. was, however, a rule in the war- 
rior kraals that no fence for protection was allowed, 
hence the utmost vigilance had to be exercised. Moran 
thus in the course of his duty had frequently to act as 
watch. At other times he practised various military 
evolutions. Unlike negro tribes, they led what might 
be called a serious life. They had no rollicking fun, no 
moonlight dancing, no lively songs, no thundering 
drums. No musical instrument whatsoever enlivened 
the Masai life, and their songs were entirely confined 
to such occasions as the return home from a successful 
raid, or the invocation of the deity. As soon as 
darkness fell upon the land, the guard was appointed, 
the cattle milked, and everything hushed up in 
silence. 
Shortly after joining the kraal, Moran was called 
upon to record his vote in the election of a Lytunn and 
a Lygonani. The Lytunu is a warrior elected by a 
number of kraals as their captain or leader, with abso- 
lute power of life and death. He is their judge in cases 
of dispute. He directs their battles, though curiously 
enough, he does not lead his men, but like the general 
of a civilized army, he stands aside and watches the 
progress of the fight under the direct command of the 
Lygonani. If, however, he sees symptoms of his men 
wavering, he forthwith precipitates himself with his 
body-guard into the battle. Of course he holds his 
office purely on sufferance, and if he fails to give satis- 
faction he is summarily deposed. This, indeed, is almost 
the only attempt at a form of government. Each war- 
district elects its own Lytunu. The Lygonani, again,. 
