110 
EASTERN ETHIOPIA 
IX 
Formerly barter was the chief means of exchange; 
beads were accepted as payment, but Government | 
has introduced the cent and this simplifies matters. ||| 
The women of Kikuyu are interesting folk : whilst';! i 
the boys and men are looking after goats and sheep ’ 
Whilst the men and boys are looking after the goats or 
sleeping in the sun, the women are cultivating the 
shambas, keeping the ground clear of weeds, or 
fetching big loads of firewood from the forests. 
(in former times fighting), or sleeping in the sun, the 
women are cultivating the land, keeping the plots clear 
of weeds. They bring in big loads of firewood from the 
forest. It is also their duty to fetch water either in 
