MASAI CIVILISATION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2003, 30 May 1885, Page 2

MASAI CIVILISATION.

A most interesting work has'just been published by,a traveller named Thomson on tho old kingdom of Masai, Africa. Tho Masai, lilco the Galla, believe in the existence of an invisible God, the Ngai, and in tho efficacy of prayer. Nothing, in fact, is undertaken without "hoursof howling," as the author somewhat irreverently styles their devotional exercises. Ghosts or spirits are not believed in, nor an existence after death. They have, however, much faith in witchcraft, and believe they can work through their lyhtms and impart magical virtues to a variety of objects. Mr Thomson himelf was looked upon as a very good medicine man, and furnishes various instances in which his kindly intercession was not appealed to in vain. The social life of this people presents phases altogether unknown among other negroes, and the sketch of the life.ofa Masai from the cradle to his death, when his body is thrown out to be devoured by hyenas, is full of interest, The younger, men or warriors, live in separate villages with the young girls, where courtship is carried on between the two sexes, though not without attention to certain safeguards. As the Masai advances in age he'buys a wife, whose'cast-off garments he wears during the honeymoon, and thenceforth the whole of Ins life changeß. He may now take to a vegetable diet, while formerly he was confined to milk and meat, and he is permitted to indulge in tobacco and hydromel. He also becomes a staid and respectable member of society, with very definite notions as to the rights of property, and the advantages of trade.