Kikuyu Warrior, Kikuyu, Kenya, ca.1911

"This shows you the other form of head-gear. It is not long hair as you might think, but long wisps of grass curled together, and again attached to the little curls of the head. He makes a central plait in front, and one on each side of the forehead, the rest hanging gracefully down his back. Adorning himself further with bead collar long necklaces of beads hanging from the neck, brass rings on the upper arms and anklets made from colobus monkey skin. He finishes the whole by liberally besmearing body, ornaments, and hair with a red oily paint manufactured from red ochre, and mutton fat. He undoubtedly looks splendid, and so too he thinks. He parades himself with companions similarly bedecked through the villages and attends the evil and immoral dances at night. Such is the life of lazy licentiousness and evil that the young men live." Portrait of a young male warrior, showing tribal piercings and decoration. ❧ "This Lecture was prepared by Dr J.W. Arthur in October 1911 on his voyage to Mombasa. The set of slides is the gift to the Kikuyu Mission of the Young Peoples Meeting at the Burgh Hall, Hillhead, of which he was for many years a member." A green folder marked 'Kikuyu' and containing lecture notes and relevant photographs to accompany lantern slides.