Chapter XIV

Mohammed’s friendship for Munza—Invitation to an audience—Solemn
escort to the royal halls—Waiting for the king—Architecture
of the halls—Grand display of ornamental weapons—Fantastic
attire of the sovereign—Features and expression—Stolid
composure—Offering gifts—_Toilette_ of Munza’s wives—The
king’s mode of smoking—Use of the cola-nut—Musical performances—
Court fool—Court eunuch—Munza’s oration—Monbuttoo hymn—
Munza’s gratitude—A present of a house—Curiosity of natives—
Skull-market—Niam-niam envoys—Fair complexion of natives—Visit
from Munza’s wives—Triumphal procession—A bath under
_surveillance_—Discovery of the sword-bean—Munza’s castle
and private apartments—Reserve on geographical subjects—
Non-existence of Piaggia’s lake—My dog exchanged for a pygmy—
Goats of the Momvoo—Extract of meat—Khartoomers’ stations
in Monbuttoo country—Mohammed’s plan for proceeding southwards—
Temptation to penetrate farther towards interior—Money and good
fortune—Great festival—Cæsar dances—Munza’s visits—The
Guinea-hog—My washing-tub 37

CHAPTER XV.

The MONBUTTOO—Previous accounts of the Monbuttoo—Population—
Surrounding nations—Neglect of agriculture—Products of the
soil—Produce of the chase—Forms of greeting—Preparation of
food—Universal cannibalism—National pride and warlike spirit—
Power of the sovereign—His habits—The royal household—Advanced
culture of the Monbuttoo—Peculiarities of race—Fair hair and
complexion—Analogy to the Fulbe—Preparation of bark—Nudity of
the women—Painting of the body—_Coiffure_ of men and women—
Mutilation not practised—Equipment of warriors—Manipulation of
iron—Early knowledge of copper—Probable knowledge of platinum—
Tools—Wood-carving—Stools and benches—Symmetry of water-
bottles—Large halls—Love of ornamental trees—Conception of
Supreme Being 80

CHAPTER XVI.

The PYGMIES—Nubian stories—Ancient classical allusions—Homer,
Herodotus, Aristotle—My introduction to Pygmies—Adimokoo
the Akka—Close questioning—War-dance—Visits from many Akka—
Mummery’s Pygmy corps—My adopted Pygmy—Nsewue’s life and death—
Dwarf races of Africa—Accounts of previous authors: Battel,
Dapper, Kölle—Analogy of Akka with Bushmen—Height and
complexion—Hair and beards—Shape of the body—Awkward gait—
Graceful hands—Form of skull—Size of eyes and ears—Lips—
Gesticulations—Dialect inarticulate—Dexterity and cunning—
Munza’s protection of the race 122