the necklace is of string, and not of bark cloth, some bark cloth is twisted round this tassel.  This sign of grief is after a death worn by the widow or widower or other nearest relative (male or female) of the deceased; and at times two people of equal degree of relationship will both wear it.  It is worn until the formal ending of the mourning.  The woman to the extreme right in Plate 26 is wearing one of these.

Widows’ vests.  These are mourning garments, only worn by the widows of chiefs.  The garment, which is made by women, is a vest made of string network (like a string bag), the mesh of which is the special Mafulu mesh, which will be described hereafter, and it is not coloured.  It is plainly and simply made, with openings at the top for the neck, and at the sides for the arms (no sleeves), and coming down to about the waist, without any other opening either in front or at the back.  This garment is also worn until the formal end of the period of mourning. [39] I was unable to secure a picture of one of these.

There is no special dress for chiefs to distinguish them from other people.

European calico clothing has not been adopted by these people, even in the district where they are in touch with the missionaries.  Indeed I may say that the people, happily for their own health, show no inclination to wear more clothing; and no doubt as a result of their conservatism in this respect they escape many a fatal cold and attack of pneumonia, and the spread of infectious skin diseases is somewhat reduced.  I may also add that the Bishop and Fathers of the Mission do not attempt, or seem to desire, to urge the people who come under their influence to endanger their health and their lives for the sake of conforming to views as to clothing which have played such havoc with tropical natives in many parts of the globe. [40]

Physical Body Decoration, &c.

Tattooing and body-scarring are not practised by either men or women among the Mafulu.

Depilation.  When a young man’s beard begins to grow, the hairs of the beard and moustache and eye-brows are extracted.  No other depilation is practised by men, and none whatever by women; and none of them shave any part of the body.  The depilation is effected with two fibre threads twisted round each other, the hair to be extracted being inserted between the threads.  Anyone can do this, and there is no ceremony connected with it.

Nose-piercing.  The septa of the noses of both men and women are pierced at or after the age of 15 or 18, and either before or after marriage.  This is done for men by men, and for women by women.  There is no special person whose duty it is to do it, but he or she must be one who knows the incantations which are required.  There is no restriction as to diet or otherwise placed upon the operator prior to the operation, but there is a day’s food restriction imposed upon the person whose nose is to be pierced.