African Camp Fires by Stewart Edward White
page 52 of 268 (19%)
page 52 of 268 (19%)
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Pushers (gruff in rhythm): "Tunk!--tunk!--tunk!--" or: Headman (and wavering minor chant): "Ah--nah--nee--e-e-e!" Pushers (undertone): "Umbwa--jo-e! Um-bwa--jo--e!" These wild and barbaric chantings--in the distance; near at hand; dying into distance again--slow, dogged, toilsome, came to be to us one of the typical features of the place. After breakfast we put on our sun helmets and went forth curiously to view the town. We found it roughly divided into four quarters--the old Portuguese, the Arabic, the European, and the native. The Portuguese comprises the outer fringe next the water-front of the inner bay. It is very narrow of street, with whitewashed walls, balconies, and wonderful carven and studded doors. The business of the town is done here. The Arabic quarter lies back of it--a maze of narrow alleys winding aimlessly here and there between high white buildings, with occasionally the minarets and towers of a mosque. This district harboured, besides the upper-class Swahilis and Arabs, a large number of East Indians. Still back of this are thousands of the low grass, or mud and wattle huts of the natives, their roofs thatched with straw or palm. These are apparently arranged on little system. The small European population lives atop the sea bluffs beyond the old fort in the most attractive bungalows. This, the most desirable location of all, has remained open to them because heretofore the fierce wars with which Mombasa, "the Island of Blood," has been swept have made the exposed seaward lands impossible. |
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