shapes. Sometimes the partings are made from back to
front, showing cockscomb-like ridges which form a most
becoming head-dress. Another fashion is the separation of
the hair into circular tufts. Pulling it out to the full
length they hind it round with the fine mimosa bark, so
that it stretches outwards from the head, leaving a tuft of
curly hair at the end of the newly-formed stalk. A very
liberal supply of the fat of some wild animal, or perhaps of
the oil of the ground-nut, is then employed to anoint the
head-gear, showing the finishing touch of the master coiffeur
s hand, the appearance of the whole adornment being
shiny and fleecy, and resembling in a peculiar manner a
luxuriant bunch of wild blackberries.
The women shave their heads, while the young girls have
a fashion of stringing beads in their hair, and by the
increased bulk cause their tops to look like the hooded
bantam, especially as they shave all round the sides and
back, leaving nothing but this odd-looking mop-like tuft.
Many of the youthful Mashona charmers, while very
-young, have lithe and graceful figures, although their
features are far from lovely.
So far as I could see and learn, the morals of the people
were much superior to the morals of the Matabeli, of whom
I have already spoken in that connection.
I t was interesting to notice the tribal or distinctive mark
of the Mashona, which was shown by the practice of filing
out spaces between the two upper front teeth, the aperture
having the shape of the letter V inverted.
Their weapons are the bow and arrow, the axe and the
assegai. Of the latter every man carries two or three of
various sizes, but all, as a rule, much larger than those used
by the Zulus; they are also much broader in the blade.
The butt end of the assegai is shod with a piece of pointed
iroi\, which is utilized for all manner of purposes, such as
making holes in which to place the stakes of their game-
nets, and other kindred uses common in the fields. I t is
rather a clumsy weapon, very different'from the assegais of
warlike tribes, in which the shafts are as light and as
springy as whip handles, while only the spear-head end is
used, the head being fitted into the shaft and bound neatly
but firmly with pieces of raw hide, which is allowed to dry,
so that by the shrinking process the binding holds with a
vice-like firmness. The weapon I describe is a weapon solely
intended for bloodshed, either that of animals or of men.
A persecuted and a hunted race are the poor Mashona.
Dwelling in the mountain fastnesses, where their towns
are hidden in most inaccessible spots amidst the great
igneous belts which form such a prominent characteristic of
the landscape, their huts are exceedingly primitive in con-,
struction, thatched with wild coarse grass, and usually
perched upon the summit of isolated rocks. The only
means of communication are, in some cases, a rough notched
pole, which they can pull quickly up in the event of attack
so as to make their retreat secure, or through innumerable
intricate windings among their almost impenetrable rocky
environment.
Many a time, as I dodged through the wild, goblin-like
caverns of the place, did I think how thoroughly harassing
» if not demoralising, it would be for an aggressive
army to fight its way through the maze. Single rank
would be the only formation that could advance, and men
looking for their next uncertain foothold would be sure to
be annihilated either from above, or from the innumerable
black devils’ gates which abound on every side, and in
which the Mashona crouch during the attacks of the foe.
In spite of all these natural advantages for defence,