band, and
then coil it into a flattened spiral, shaped like a target. They are
very fond of dancing. A long strip of bark or cow-skin is laid on the
ground, and the Weezee arrange themselves along it, the tallest man
posting himself in the centre. When they have taken their places the
musicians begin playing on their instruments, while the dancers commence
a strange chant, more like a howl than a song. They bow their heads,
putting their hands on their hips and stamping vigorously. The men not
dancing look on, encouraging their friends by joining in the chorus,
while the women stand behind without speaking. Meantime, the elders sit
on the ground drinking _pomba_. On one of these occasions the chief,
who was present, drank more _pomba_ than any of the people.

While the party were thus engaged, two lads, with zebra manes tied over
their heads, and two bark tubes, formed like huge bassoons, in their
hands, leaped into the centre of the dancers, twisting and turning and
blowing their horns in the most extraordinary manner. The men, women,
and children, inspired by the sound of the music, on this began to sing
and clap their hands in time.

_Pomba_ is a sort of spirituous liquor, produced from a kind of grain
grown in the country, which is cultivated by women, who nearly entirely
superintend the preparation of the drink.

They received a visit from Sultan Ukulima, of Unyamuezi, a fine hale old
man, who was especially fond of this beverage, drinking it all day long.
He was pleasant enough in manner, and rather amusing when he happened
not to be tipsy. Being fond of a practical joke, he used to beg for
quinine, which he would mix slyly with _pomba_, and then offer it to his
courtiers, enjoying the wry faces they made when partaking of the bitter
draught. He used to go round to the houses of his subjects, managing to
arrive just as the pomba-brewing was finished, when he would take a
draught, and then go on to the next. He sometimes sucked it through a
reed, just as a sherry cobbler is taken, while one of his slaves held
the jar before him.

The women and men do not drink it together. It is the custom of the
ladies to assemble in the house of the sultana, and indulge in it in her
company.

The women, as has been said, are employed in the cultivation of the
grain from which it is made. When it is green, they cut off the ears
with a knife. These are then conveyed to the village in baskets, and
spread out in t