the strongest constitutions; so the Doctor determined
to leave the country—this time by a new route to the
East Coast. No man who has tried the discomforts
and discouragements of African travel can sufficiently
admire the indefatigable energy of this illustrious
explorer.
After Livingstone’s departure grave trouble arose,
which upset the empire of the Makololo. When
Ma Moeriosane succeeded her father she found herself
unable to govern, and yielded her power into the hands
of her brother Sekeletu. But a very influential personage,
Mpempe (the very wicked), sought to possess
himself of the sovereignty; on one occasion he organized
a plot to kill the Queen and the young King when they
were ascending the river in company with Dr. Livingstone.
But the conspiracy was discovered in time,
and Mpempe put to death. Sekeletu proved himself
a most cruel ruler. He was extremely superstitious, and
always fancying that people were trying to bewitch him,
wherefore he caused numbers of chiefs, with their entire
families, to be put to death. Somewhat later, as Livingstone
tells us, some young Barotse gave the first signal
for revolt by making for the north, in the country of
Masiko, and killing a Makololo. The Matoka of Suna-
nane declared themselves independent, and those of
Monemba followed their example, as did also Mashotlane;
the chief of the Falls. At last, on Sekeletu’s death in
1864, a revolution broke out; a portion of the Makololo
put themselves in opposition' to the regency of Impololo,
the uncle of Sekeletu, and went and settled on Lake
N’gami. After their departure all the other vassals of
the Makololo rose, and Impololo was put to death.
I was able to make some very interesting notes, from an
anthropological and ethnographical point of view, on the
Marotse and the natives of the Upper Zambezi generally.
The absolute ruler is the King—“ Morena,” “ N’Kosi.”
His power is unlimited. In theory he is. proprietor of all
70
his people and of everything they possess. Among the
Barotse he is chosen by the most powerful chiefs from
among the royal family, and is always a male. Next
to him ranks the Queen, his sister, who shares his
power. The King is assisted by a Prime Minister,
called “ Gambella,” and a Council of State composed
of the other chiefs of the tribe. A curious and signi-
A ST R EET IN SHESHEKE.
ficant feature of the Barotse Cabinet is that it contains
a minister especially appointed to soothe the King’s
anger. He is called Matamoyo. His hut is in close
proximity to the lekothla, and its courtyard is sacred.
Every morning the King goes in state to the lekothla,
attended by guards beating drums and playing. on the
instruments of the country. Here he remains till noon,
dispensing justice, hearing complaints, receiving petitions,
and the like. On one side of this open space lies a
vast circular enclosure. Along the whole length of its
inner wall is a row of women’s huts, their courtyards
divided off by branches. In the middle is an enormous
71