XVII 
MALINGANIRO AND HIS IVORY 
179 
him that if he wished to do this, he must first bring 
his ivory into the boma, have it weighed, and receive 
export papers made out in the latest European style. 
Suspecting nothing, Malinganiro took his ivory into 
the boma—only to find himself made a prisoner! 
Then the old and well-rehearsed farce was enacted 
once more: to save his life, Malinganiro was 
obliged openly to acknowledge the supremacy 
of the Portuguese, and on his submission was 
released, but his ivory was confiscated, or, as they 
tactfully put it, ‘ held as security for the good 
behaviour of himself and his people.’ What 
Malinganiro thought of this delightful euphemism, 
it would be difficult to say, but from that hour 
until his death the Wyao chief made every 
effort to recompense the Portuguese for their 
kindness. Malinganiro became a name of terror 
to the dwellers on the lake shore ; village after 
village was sacked and burnt; askaris were way¬ 
laid and killed; mutilation, torture, and death 
were meted out with impartiality to anyone con¬ 
nected with the Portuguese and their detestable 
rule. 
My memories of Malinganiro are still vivid. 
He was a short, jolly, rotund man, who passed 
much of his time drinking beer and smoking 
bhangi—royal occupations in the eyes of a native— 
and yet, in spite of his debauchery, there was about 
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