KASEMBI, A SPOILT POTENTATE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5733, 28 November 1896, Page 7

KASEMBI, A SPOILT POTENTATE.

Kasembi ii. an important creature in his own estimation. A man cooks for him. The men who carry water for him are armed. If any one careens against them find spills the water, the offender is killed. Kasembi never walks ; he is carried. If one of his villagers kills an elephant, the tusks are brought to him • he picks out the finer of the two, and gives the other to tho slayer. Any dead ivory found is brought to him; he takes all, and gives the finder a little'cloth. In conversation he repeatedly remarks, " Mmii Kasembi " ("" I am Kasembi "). My man Progalah told him that the woman chief of the Watshlwa, of his name, had a larger village than this one here, whicli was a fib, but it made this proud creature very unhappy. Ho has beeu spoiled by the whites giving him big presents. Before arriving yesterday, I sent on ahead a splendid present of cloth with silk fringe and gilded braid. My two men had first to sliow it to one of his underlings ; he, in turn, took it to two other inferiors. These three discussed it, dilating upon the smallness of the gift ; cventually,however, they conveyed it to the royal presence, and after :»- while my .two messengers were admitted. Kasembi immediately began to tommeht upon the gift; Was he a boy, tpreceive one present;.-.; only? Did not, ■theAfinsungy (white man)' know how big ii chief Kasembi was P My men assured him I did, and that I had sent this cloth in advance, and the actual present would be forthcoming later. This satisfied him to an extent; he sent one of his favourite satellites to show me a cainping-placo a quarter of a mile from liis stockades — a clear, sandy place, away from dry wood and water, and no possible shade. My tent was hardly pitched before Kasembi's head m-frii appeared, demanding the present I had proihised ; the chief was awaiting it. 1 sent word that I promised to give tlie chief a present according to my means; I should suit myself with regard to the time bf giving. They were rather taken aback at. this. Kasembi's wishes appear to be attended to without delay. ; During the afternoon Kasembi sent me a goat" and two baskets of flour, about twenty-five pounds. In the evening I sent him down one Kanzu Arab brown holland shirt, one silk-and-cotton cloth for a turban, eight yards of white handkerchief, four yards of American, eight yards of Kanicki, about half a pound of beads, and twenty assorted fish-hooks. He was good enough to accept these things, but impressed upon my men the necessity of bringing another present when I was permitted to see him. He is too large an insect altogether; has been spoiled. A letter was left in his care for me yesterday; I applied for it, but he refused to give it up until we had met, and yesterday he would not see me. It was his sacred day, he said. I sent several times yesterday, and demanded the letter, and emphasized my request by .expressions as strong as it was discreet to employ ; but he was immovable. If I had had a force of any reliability with mo, I would have had tbat letter yesterday bnt this is one of the great drawbacks of having only a small force. To-day I am to see him when his Majesty feels inclined graciously to grant the interview. At eight o'clock this morning Kasembi sent two men to wait near my tent, and when they should hear drums in his village, I was to go down and see the chief. His three head men escorted me down to the stockades. Before entering the gate, a messenger was sent in to ask if we might' enter; receiving permission, we passed through the gate. Upon entering we found a big clear space, and crowds of people lining it; a- dozen drums Of different sorts were being beaten gently, and several double gongs were sounding. At one corner of the square Kasembi was seated on an immense litter • his body was wrapped in bright handkerchief stuff',

He wore a fine necklace of big lions' elaw3 — immense ones — and had a fringe of long hawks' feathers standing up from his head. I was not allowed to approach near him, being told to seat myself about 50ft away, so I could not get a detailed look at lum. Difficulties were added by his being in the shade, as he held over his head a rod-and-white umbrella. He had the litter lifted high on the heads of his bearers, so thafc he might the better see me. Thp litter was make of thin bamboo firmly lashed to two parallel big bamboos, the ends carried out on each side 7ft or Bft. This affair was carried by twenty men, five at each handle. The litter was covered with handkerchief cloth, on which Kasembi sat cross-legged. He sent across a messenger to ask me where I came from and where going. I gave the. necessary information, at .the same time saying I wanted two of his people to act as guides to the Kalungwizi ; also that I was anxious to have my letter. Both were promised me, but it is now late in the afternoon, and I have not seen the letter., yet.