Chap. XXVII. 
CLOTHING DESPISED. 
551 
seed contains so much farinaceous matter, that the natives collect 
it for their own food. 
This part of the country abounds in ant-hills. In the open 
parts they are studded over the surface exactly as haycocks are in 
harvest, or heaps of manure in spring, rather disfiguring the land¬ 
scape. In the woods they are as large as round haystacks, 40 or 
50 feet in diameter at the base, and at least 20 feet high. These 
are more fertile than the rest of the land, and here they are the 
chief garden-ground for maize, pumpkins, and tobacco. 
When we had passed the outskirting villages, which alone con¬ 
sider themselves in a state of war with the Makololo, we found 
the Batoka, or Batonga, as they here call themselves, quite 
friendly. Great numbers of them came from all the surrounding 
villages, with presents of maize and masuka, and expressed gxeat 
joy at the first appearance of a white man, and harbinger of 
peace. The women clothe themselves better than the Balonda, 
but the men go in puris naturalihus. They waUi about without 
the smallest sense of shame. They have even lost the tradition of 
the figleaf.” I asked a fine large-bodied old man, if he did not 
thiok it would be better to adopt a little covering. He looked with 
a pityuig leer, and laughed with surprise at my thinking him at aU 
indecent: he evidently considered himself above such weak super¬ 
stition. I told them that on my return I should have my family 
with me, and no one must come near us in that state. What 
shall we put on ? we have no clothing.” It was considered a good 
joke when I told them that, if they had nothing else, they must 
put on a bunch of grass. 
The further we advanced, the more we found the country swarm¬ 
ing with inliabitants. Great numbers came to see the wliite man, a 
sight they had never beheld before. They always brought presents 
of maize and masuka. Their mode of salutation is quite singular. 
They throw themselves on their backs on the ground, and, rolling 
from side to side, slap the outside of their thighs as expressions of 
thankfulness and welcome, uttering the words, ‘^Kina bomba.” 
This method of salutation was to me very disagTeeable, and I 
never could get reconciled to it. I called out Stop, stop ! I don’t 
want that; ” but they, imagming I was dissatisfied, only tumbled 
about more furiously, and slapped their thighs with greater 
vigour. The men being totally unclothed, this performance 
