. The Nandi, their language and folk-lore. warriors and girls who have been dancing. If one of the girls isa virgin, her father at this stage in the proceedings wears a nariethead-dress.* At midnight the fatheis ask their daughters in thepresence of all whether they have any enemies amongst the they have, they mention the names, and steps are taken to preventthese men from attending the ceremony the next day, in case theirpresence might make the girls afraid. After this the old people keepup the feasting till daylight, whilst the warriors and girls retire to rest. The operation is
. The Nandi, their language and folk-lore. warriors and girls who have been dancing. If one of the girls isa virgin, her father at this stage in the proceedings wears a nariethead-dress.* At midnight the fatheis ask their daughters in thepresence of all whether they have any enemies amongst the they have, they mention the names, and steps are taken to preventthese men from attending the ceremony the next day, in case theirpresence might make the girls afraid. After this the old people keepup the feasting till daylight, whilst the warriors and girls retire to rest. The operation is performed an hour after sunrise. The fathers,maternal uncles, and eldest brothers anoint with milk the girls faces,breasts, and legs, and pour milk on the heads of the moterenik. Onlya few old women are actually pi-esent at the operation, which is 1 Ficus sp. 2 Vide p. 61, n. 5. A man who has lost several brothers or sisters in quick succession maywitness the operation, as it is supposed to break the spell that has fallen onhis family. M. 4»> \m c o S 2 .2 *o CIRCUMCISION FESTIVALS 59 performed iu the open, but a large gathering of warriors and othersis assembled less than a quarter of a mile away. Whilst the operationis taking place the girls mothers run round the group weeping andwailing. The girl sits do^, the senior moteriot sits behind her andsupports her, and the operator, who is called kork-ap-tum, sits infront of her. Only the clitoris is excised, and a small curved knife,called mwatindet, is used. If the girl shows no sign of pain, shestands up after the operation, puts some sinendet ^ into her ears,shakes the warrioi*s thigh bells above her head, and goes to meet herlover, who runs out to receive back his club, thigh bells, &c. She thenretires to her mothers house. If the girl behaves in a cowardlymanner, the warriors things are thrown The moterenik see to the girls food, which must be the best obtain-able. They may not touch food with their hands, but have
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