What a Recent Traveller Saw in Central Africa.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 85, 18 April 1885, Page 5

What a Recent Traveller Saw in Central Africa.

L.MTnighfc. f.'-te Anthropological Institute, Mr R. _~ Johnston, F. Z. S., F. R. G. S., read a paper "On the People of Eastern Equatorial Africa," namoly those inhabiting tho district lying betwoon tho first dogroe north of the equator and five degrees to the south, and bounded on tho wost by tho 34th dogreo of oast longitude, and on tho east by tho Indian Ocear1, a'.nong whom ho has recently so!'cu'."__d for six months.

I I" C'JSl'ward appearance tho Wataita j'.eoplo, who inhabit, Taita, which lies not far from Mombasa, aro, ho said, Unprepossessing. They arc about tho medium height. In facial aspect there is much variation. While many have little pug nosos with no perceptible bridge, and a much-rounded projecting forehead, other* exhibit an almost rod Indian physiognomy, with aquiline noses, high '-hookbonos, and retreating for. Kiads. Tho body is disposed to b-c '..airy, but is carefully depilated all iver, ovon to tho plucking out of eyebrows, eyelashes, beard,and moustache. The _6lour of the skin is generally a dull, sooty black. Beards aro tho adoration of the race, and are wort, in immonso quantity by men nnd women. There are but slight traces of religion among them, but thoy aro in groat dread of spirits that aro believed to inhabit large forest trees. The sun is their true conception of an overruling doity.

Their marriages aro arranged first by purchase, tho intending husband paying tho father of tho girl three or moro cows fixed as the price. When these preliminaries are settled tho girl runs away and affects to hide Sho is sought out by the bridegroom und three or four of his friends, and carried oil'to the hut of her future nusband. Tho Aknmbu people, who live on a broad stretch of country to tho north of Tuita, are f rc-»t hunters, and, on tho whole, v good-looking race, A certain Etriightnesa of hAir and ■ight Bkin shows an intermixturo of Gall^ Clood. Tho betutiful forest district of Tuveita is inhabited by. two different colonies, one a Kivaoi peoplo of Massai origin, and the other knd more primitive, tho Wataveita, who exhibit niarked pecu liarities in their langoago and ideas. Thoy are of fair height, and often models of symmetry and grace. Murriago is oE course a tViatter of purchase but no sign of imitating capture seems to bo practised hero. Tho greatest laxity of manners prevails among tho woinon after inarriago. The Watavoitu pooplo number about 2,000. The Wachaya tribo share with the Massai a curious habit of spitting on things or peoplo as a complimontoisign of gratitude ; though, having very little religious boliof, they aro vory superstitious, and have great dread of sorcery. Thoy are clovor smiths, and forgo all kinds of utensils, weapons, and ornamonts from tho pig Iran 'o'liey receive from Usanea, but it is ih thoir husbandry that thoy mostly excel.—" London Times."