The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

3GGSOUTH AND EAST AFRICA.At that time the youths are gorged with the flesh of oxen, and drink the hotblood spurting from the arteries of the wounded animals, in order therebj' to layin the greatest possible store of muscle and ferocity. Tobacco and all alcoholicdrinks are at the same time strictly forbidden, the national experience havingshown that indulgence in these dissipations leads to a general deterioration of thephysical and moral qualities.Masai socict}' is divided into the two great classes of warriors and men ofpeace, rospectivoly distinguished by the terms elmuran and elinorua.These terms,which bear some resemblance to that of Ibn-Orma, the collective national name ofthe Galla people, would seem to argue in favour of the common origin of the tworaces, a view which is also supported by other arguments. The young men whohave the prospects of a rich inheritance in cattleare usually grouped ia the peacefulelmorua division ; on the other hand, the more numerous class whose prospectsare less brilliant, enroll themselves in the warlike division, in order to improvetheir position by taking part in plundering expeditions. These generally liveapart, far from the camping-grounds of themarried peojjle, but accomjjanicd byyoung girls whose duty it is to tend the herds, to provide the necessary supplies,and prepare the equipments of the young braves.Their incursions range over vast spaces, often suddenly surprising peacefulpopulations some hundred miles off.The marauders creep stealthily along amidthe nearer tribes, which are usually on the alert, and generally return to theirhomes by different routes, accompanied by the herds which they have seized, andwhich meekly follow them, as if charmed by some secret magic incantations.Acting always under the guidance of leaders in whom they place implicit confidence,the cattle-lifters observe the strictest discij)line on the march, and displaygreat skill in executing the various tactics of sudden surprise, retreat, feints, andsuchlike movements of border warfare. They fight in silence, without the beatingof drums, or any battle-cries ; the warrior who betrays any symptoms ofcowardice is hacked to pieces by his companions. Whoever fails to bring back thespear and other equipments of his comrade in arms, with whom he has madebrotherhood by drinking the same blood, meets with universal scorn, can make nomore friends, and becomes Kttle better than an outcast.Like all fighting people, such as the Kafirs, Matebelos, and Zulus, the Masaiexhibit a great love of finery and jiersonal ornamentation. They are fond ofpainting their bodies in red ;a flowing white cotton robe, edged or striped in somebright colour, falls from the shoulders, being attached to the neck like the j)0)ichoof the Mexicans. The oval contour of the face is also enclosed in a leather bandor strap, which is embellished either with a zebra's mane or the tufted bristles ofa vnld boar, or better still with a bunch of black ostrich feathers, this remarkableobject forming an elliptically shaped headdress which is disposed diagonally inaline beginning under the nether lip, and running in front of the car to the crown.Beneath this singular head-gear, from which the face appears to protrude as fromthe empty frame of a looking-glass, the shoulders are enveloped in a short capewhich seems to consist of one mass of kites' feathers.Other white plumes are also