Chap. XXIH. MATIAMYO’S COUNTKY AND GOVEKNMENT. 459 
permit any white person to visit them, as his principal supplies of 
ivory are drawn from them. Tliinking that we might descend this 
branch of the Zambesi to Masiko, and thence to the Barotse, I felt 
a strong incKnation to make the attempt. The goods, however, we 
had brought with us to pay our way, had, by the long detention 
from fever and weakness in both myself and men, dwindled to a 
mere fragment; and, being but slightly acquainted with the 
Balonda dialect, I felt that I could neither use persuasion nor 
presents to effect my object. From all I could hear of Matiamvo, 
there was no chance of my being allowed to proceed tlxrough his 
country to the southward. If I had gone merely to visit him, all 
the goods would have been expended by the time I returned to 
Cabango; and we had not found mendicity so pleasant on our 
way to the north, as to induce us to desire to return to it. 
The country of Matiamvo is said to be well peopled, but they 
have little or no trade. They receive calico, salt, gunpowder, 
coarse earthenware, and beads, and give in return ivory and 
slaves. They possess no cattle, Matiamvo alone having a single 
herd, which he keeps entirely for the sake of the flesh. The 
present chief is said to be mild in his government, and will depose 
an under-chief for unjust conduct. He occasionally sends the 
distance of a hundred miles or more, to behead an offending 
officer. But though I was informed by the Portuguese that he 
possesses absolute power, his name had less influence over his 
subjects with whom I came in contact, than that of Sekeletu has, 
over his people living at a much gveater distance from the capital. 
As we thought it best to strike away to the S.E. from Cabango 
to our old friend Katema, I asked a guide from Muanzanza as 
soon as the funeral proceedings Avere over. He agreed to furnish 
one, and also accepted a smaller present from me than usual, 
when it was represented to him by Pascoal and Faria that I was 
not a trader. He seemed to regard these presents as his proper 
dues; and as a cargo of goods had come by Senhor Pascoal, he 
entered the house for tlje purpose of receiving his share, Avhen 
Senhor Faria gravely presented him with the commonest earthen¬ 
ware vessel, of wliich great numbers are brought for this trade. 
The chief received it vdth expressions of abundant gratitude, as 
these vessels are liigldy valued because from their depth they can 
hold so much food or beer. The association of ideas is some- 
