The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-07-28
AF R|CAN POLICE
HAVE QUEER WAYS
Col. Roosevelt Admires Natives Who
Maintain Peace of Nairobi District
Costumes Are Picturesque.
BY WARRINGTON DAWSON.

NAlROBI, British East Africa. July
2S.--When Col. Roosevelt comes into
Nairobi. his hunting headquarters. he
always shows a decided interest In
the native policemen, called askaris.
There are 400 of them TO maintain
the peace of the Rairobi district. and
they are under command OF British
officers. most OF whom fought in the
Boer war.
These native policemen are uncom-
monty we'll trained and soldierly look
ing. and show that discipline can do
much to develop the African native.
They are not allowed to load the fine
muskets with which they are supplied,
however, for the British officials know
perfectly we'll that, whatever the dis
cipline, In time of uprising they
would 60 over TO their fellows and
shoot down their white officers. So
the best way is To train them to drill
properly. hold themselves well and
exercise the majesty OF the law over
offenders great and small.
II cannot be concealed that some
times these askaris commit thefts and
offenses themselves, or shield their
tribesmen against the common enemy,
the white oppressor. When discover
ed they are Immediately discharged
and recruits are found easily enough.
Askaris are on duty in the streets.
They patrol the roads. act as escort
to government caravans or TO con-
voys Of mails or money going TO the
interior They are guards to the ma
tive convicts, and they can often be
seen leading through the street a Ne
gro whom they have just handcuffed.
A chain is attached to the handcufr
and the policeman always drives his
prisoner ahead OF him.
Costume IL Picturesque.
The costume OF the askaris is very
blue puttees. khaki
"shorts" or breaches reaching hair
way down the thigh, dark blue sweat
ers broad red sashes and red fezzes.
They are required to retain their tri-
bal traditions of going barefooted, al
though heavy boots are included In
their official kit, because they are SO
accustomed to their bare feet that
they can scarcely walk in shoes and
are horribly sore afterwards.
The natives make no resistance
when an askari tries to arrest them
and the askari is never lOath to exer'
else his authority. But what Is a
more awkward position, is where a
white man must be arrested by them
since there are no other policemen
There Is handful of young bloods
fresh out from England, and rowdy
element OF white settlers, who take
Measure In smashing street lamps OF
destroying rickshaws or damaging
houses and fences at night. and who
when an askari attempts TO fulfll his
duty and arrest them as he would any
other lawbreakers, curse him for
black swine. OF anything else they
think OF at the time and dare him tc
touch them. and they often maui him
II he insists on doing his duty.
In Demand az Gardeners.
The Kikuyus are the natives mos
frequently seen at Nairobi, for they
are an agricultural tribe whose coun
try lies round about here. They are
much in demand as gardeners. Some
are employed as servants also, bu
they are rather stupid about a house
and Swahilis are preferred. or else
Kavirondos from up by Lake Victoris
Nyanza.
Some few households employ Masa
servants. from the famous warrior
tribe. and when they consent to be
come servants they are very satisfac
tory: but as a rule they are very IN
dependent by nature. They come into
Nairobi as II the place belonged t6
them. They refuse any form of worl
except cattle raising. which is thell
traditional occupation, and they dea
on the whole with their white ruler.
as with being perhaps their equal:
but certeinly not their superiors.
The Kikuyus dress in skin or q
blanket looped over the left shouldei
and hanging down to their knees or
that side, while on the other the right
the whole line of the leg and the hip
bone can be seen as they walk They
love TO decorate themselves, and thy
wear bead neccklets. bracelets and
anklets. The cartilage OF their ears
is stretched so that sticks of wood
steel and brass ornaments. rings cu'
from elephants tusks. and anything
else big and Impressive may be-
slipped In.
The Kikuyu wears his wool like {