The Mighty King Was Now Reported To Be Sitting On His Throne In
The Statehut Of The Third Tier.
I advanced, hat in hand, with my
guard of honour following, formed in "open ranks," who in their
turn were followed by the bearers carrying the present.
I did
not walk straight up to him as if to shake hands, but went
outside the ranks of a three-sided square of squatting Wakungu,
all inhabited in skins, mostly cow-skins; some few of whom had,
in addition, leopard-cat skins girt round the waist, the sign of
royal blood. Here I was desired to halt and sit in the glaring
sun; so I donned my hat, mounted my umbrella, a phenomenon which
set them all a-wondering and laughing, ordered the guard to close
ranks, and sat gazing at the novel spectacle! A more theatrical
sight I never saw. The king, a good-looking, well-figured, tall
young man of twenty-five, was sitting on a red blanket spread
upon a square platform of royal grass, encased in tiger-grass
reeds, scrupulously well dressed in a new mbugu. The hair of his
head was cut short, excepting on the top, where it was combed up
into a high ridge, running from stem to stern like a cockscomb.
On his neck was a very neat ornament - a large ring, of
beautifully-worked small beads, forming elegant patterns by their
various colours. On one arm was another bead ornament, prettily
devised; and on the other a wooden charm, tied by a string
covered with snakeskin.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 370 of 767
Words from 101686 to 101947
of 210958
