102 
EASTERN ETHIOPIA 
VIII 
native iron, or imported iron wire. An incision is made 
in the scrotum to expose the gland, which is then pulled 
out by main force. Both testicles are extracted through 
a single incision. The animal is then bled from the 
jugular vein, the opening in the vein being made by 
shooting a blocked arrow into it. The blood is collected 
in calabashes to be drunk at the end of the day. As 
the bull joins the herd, the wife of the operator smears 
its back with cow-dung for luck. (R. J. Stordy.) 
The Masai not only act as veterinarians, but they 
practise surgery. In treating comminuted fractures 
they cut down upon tlie fragments, remove the splinters, 
bring the broken edges into contact, and suture the 
wound with sinews from the back of the ox. This is 
on a level with the best modern surgery. When it is 
realised that a man’s bone cannot be mended, the 
surgeons fasten a ligature round the limb and ampu¬ 
tate it. (Hollis.) 
These shepherd warriors are dignified men ; they are 
born orators and conduct lengthy arguments. They 
are also wags in their way, and exhibit their wit at the 
expense of the Swahili, whom they despise. The Masai 
rarely smoke and do not take intoxicating drink : they 
reckon time by the sun, and fix dates by the moon and 
rain. There are two rainy seasons annually. Their 
kraals consist of low, oblong, round-topped huts, 
placed end to end, surrounding a circular enclosure 
with a diameter of thirty or forty feet which is used 
as the stockyard. The framework of the huts is wood 
and wickerwork filled in with a mixture of cow-dung 
and mud. The doorway of the hut is a hole which 
looks towards the stockyard. In building the huts the 
rafters are completely hidden with the cow-dung and 
mud mixture except one which protrudes beyond the 
door : “ It is said to be watching the cattle ” (Hollis). 
Outside the continuous line of huts, a strong thorn 
fence (boma) affords protection against man and wild 
beasts. 
vii 
