Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 24, 1913.djvu/498

 460 Pokomo Folklore.

Masai, — dread of the conquering race was not unmingled with admiration, resulting in the sincerest form of flattery. It thus seems probable that the names of Galla clans were adopted by Pokomo masitido, at first in addition to their own, and afterwards in place of them.

I do not yet know enough of Galla customs and institu- tions to say whether the Pokomo have been appreciably influenced by them ; but it does not appear that their tribal organization differs appreciably from that of the Wanyika tribes, who are evidently sprung from the same stock. For instance, I have been unable to trace anything like the twofold division of the Galla clans into Irdida and Barietuma, the members of the first only marrying into the second, and vice versa. A Pokomo, so far as I can make out, is free to marry into any clan he likes, provided he avoids his own. He must not, however, marry relations who belong to other clans, such as the daughter of his father's sister, or of any of his mother's brothers or sisters. All these are called wainibii (sisters). Like the Giryama, and unlike the Duruna and Digo, the Pokomo, whatever they may have done in the remote past, now reckon descent in the male line, the children, both sons and daughters, belonging to the father's siiido.

There is a twofold division of each Pokomo tribe, however, of the existence of which I have just become aware, and which necessitates further enquiry. These sections are called Mperuya and Magomba, and the chiefs of the tribes are chosen from them alternately. "Just now," says my informant, " the children of the Mperuya are ruling. After- wards the children of the Magomba will rule."' Chiefs {haju, which seems to be a Galla title), are not succeeded by their sons, but chosen by the tribe. Their power and standing seem to be much the same as with the Giryama, the real authority being in the hands of the old men, or, properly speaking, the highest grade of elders, who form a close corporation. The various grades have each their own