MABRIAGE. 49 Adultery is not very common, but a strange system of prostitution, governed by stringent laws, exists ; this is very curious, as in no other tribe in Central Africa does this obtain, however lax their morals may be.

There is no real marriage ceremony ; but the people indulge in a great deal of feasting, and the bride is taken by a procession of friends to her new lord ; after a few days she returns to visit her parents for a short time, her husband not accompanying her. Brothers may marry their sisters, and even fathers their own daughters, but a son does not marry his own mother, though the other widows of his father become his property.

A man's property and wives are divided on his death amongst the sons, the eldest receiving the largest share.

Twins are considered a great piece of good fortune, not only to the parents, but also to the whole village, and feasts are held in their honour ; should they die, the house in which they were born is burnt down. The grandfather generally gives the name to a child. The four lower incisors of children are broken out as soon as they arrive at the age of puberty, and the tribal marks of the Wanyoro are two scars on each side of the forehead.

The men are mostly clothed in skins ; the women after they are married, wear the native bark cloth ; before marriage, they are naked.

VOL. II. E