Chap. XVI. 
EECEPTIOX BY SHINTE. 
291 
Tliey are generally very dark in colour, but several are to be 
seen of a lighter line; many of the slaves who have been ex¬ 
ported to Brazil, have gone from this region; but while they 
have a general similarity to the typical negro, I never could, 
fr?om my own observation, think that our ideal negro, as seen in 
tobacconists’ shops, is the true type. A large proportion of the 
Balonda, indeed, have heads somewhat elongated backwards and 
upwards, thick lips, flat noses, elongated ossa calces, &c. &c.; 
but there are also many good-looking, well-shaped heads and 
persons among them. 
11 th, Tuesday .—We were honoured with a grand reception by 
Shinte about eleven o’clock. Sambanza claimed the honour of 
presenting us, Manenko being slightly indisposed. The native 
Portuguese and Mambari went fully armed with guns, in order 
to give Shinte a salute; thefr drummer and trumpeter making 
all the noise that very old instruments Avould produce. 
The kotla, or place of audience, was about a hundred yards 
square, and two graceful specimens of a species of banian stood 
near one end ; under one of these sat Shinte, on a sort of tlu’one 
covered with a leopard’s skin. He had on a checked jaclvet, and 
a kilt of scarlet baize edged Avith green; many strings of large 
beads hung from his neck, and his limbs were covered with fron 
and copper armlets and bracelets; on liis head he Avore a helmet 
made of beads woven neatly together, and croAvned with a great 
bunch of goose-feathers. Close to him sat tlrree lads with large 
sheaves of arroAvs over their shoulders. 
When we entered the kotla, the Avhole of Manenko’s party 
saluted Shinte by clapping their hands; and Sambanza did 
obeisance by rubbing his chest and arms Avith ashes. One of 
the trees being unoccupied, I retreated to it for the sake of the 
shade, and my whole party did the same. We Avere now about 
forty yards from the chief, and could see the whole ceremony. 
The different sections of the tribe came forward in the same way 
that we did, the head man of each making obeisance with ashes 
Avhich he carried Avith him for the purpose; then came the sol¬ 
diers, all armed to the teeth, running and shouting toAvards us, 
Avith their swords drawn, and their faces screwed up so as to 
appear as savage as possible, for the purpose, I thought, of 
trying whether they could not make us take to our heels. As 
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