J. H. Patterson

Name: The Man-Eaters of Tsavo — Chapter 21
Author: J. H. Patterson

Summary

“The Man-Eaters of Tsavo — Chapter 21”, is a work by J. H. Patterson. It explores elements such as Masai, the Wa Kikuyu and tribe.

Quotes from The Man-Eaters of Tsavo — Chapter 21 (J. H. Patterson)

J. H. Patterson, The Man-Eaters of Tsavo — Chapter 21

“ The Masai and Other Tribes A few Masai may still be seen on the Athi Plains, but as a rule they keep away from the railway, the majority of the tribe being now settled on the Laikipia Plateau. Formerly they were by far the most powerful native race in East Africa, and when on the war-path were the terror of the whole country from the furthest limits of Uganda to Mombasa itself. Their numbers have latterly become greatly reduced through famine and small-pox, but the remnant of the tribe, more especially the men, are still a fine, lithe, clean-limbed people. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

J. H. Patterson, The Man-Eaters of Tsavo — Chapter 21

“ They are an industrious, simple people, devoted to agriculture and hospitable in the extreme -- a little addicted to thieving, perhaps, but then that is scarcely considered a sin in the heart of Africa. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

J. H. Patterson, The Man-Eaters of Tsavo — Chapter 21

“ Nearly all the men wear little bells on their ankles to give notice of their approach, while the women are very fond of covering themselves with large quantities of iron or copper wire. Their limbs, indeed, are often almost completely encased with these rings, which I should think must be very heavy and uncomfortable: but no Masai woman considers herself a lady of fashion without them, and the more she possesses the higher does she stand in the social scale. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

J. H. Patterson, The Man-Eaters of Tsavo — Chapter 21

“ As a rule, the Masai do not bury their dead, as they consider this custom to be prejudicial to the soil; the bodies are simply carried some little distance from the village and left to be devoured by birds and wild beasts. The honour of burial is reserved only for a great chief, over whose remains a large mound is also raised. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

J. H. Patterson, The Man-Eaters of Tsavo — Chapter 21

“ Unlike the Masai, the Wa Kikuyu have a fairly good idea of agriculture, and grow crops of m'tama (a kind of native grain from which flour is made) , sugar-cane, sweet potatoes, and tobacco.
The Wa Kikuyu have the reputation of being a very cowardly and treacherous people, and they have undoubtedly committed some very cruel deeds. A friend of mine, Captain Haslem, with whom I lived for a few months at Tsavo, was barbarously murdered by some members of this tribe. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

J. H. Patterson, The Man-Eaters of Tsavo — Chapter 21

“ The Masai have a wonderfully well-organised military system. The warriors (elmorani) of the tribe must attend strictly to their duties, and are not allowed to marry or to smoke or to drink until after their term of active service is completed. Besides the spear and shield they generally carry a sword or knobkerrie, suspended from a raw-hide waist-belt; and they certainly look very ferocious in their weird-looking headdress when on the warpath. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

J. H. Patterson, The Man-Eaters of Tsavo — Chapter 21

“ As is the case with all other African races, the women of the Wa Kikuyu do the manual labour of the village and carry the heavy loads for their lords and masters, the bundles being held in position on their back by a strap passing round the forehead. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

J. H. Patterson, The Man-Eaters of Tsavo — Chapter 21

“ They live in little villages composed of beehive huts and always situated in the very thickest patches of forest that they can find, and their cattle kraals are especially strongly built and carefully hidden. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

J. H. Patterson, The Man-Eaters of Tsavo — Chapter 21

“ The object of these raids was, of course, to capture live stock, for the Masai are not an agricultural people and their wealth consists entirely in their herds of cattle, sheep and goats. Curiously enough they do not hunt game, although the country abounds with it, but live principally on beef and milk ”

J. H. Patterson

Summary

Quotes from The Man-Eaters of Tsavo — Chapter 21 (J. H. Patterson)

Common terms

Similar works

Get perspective with Kwize: daily news enlightened by great literature