MANGONI, or ANGONI. Zulu intruders into the Nyassa region. British South Central Africa. They number about 230,000 and are descendants of a Zulu tribe which migrated from Zululand and crossed the Zambezi about 1825, founding a kingdom southeast of Lake Tanganyika. Thence they migrated west of Lake Nyassa, where they established three separate kingdoms. These military migrations are char acteristic of the Zulus, who have been the cause of far-reaching ethnic displacements in Africa. In their movements they eliminated the men, and by marriages with the women of the conquered tribes, themselves became greatly modified. espe cially in language. The aristocracy of the Man goni perpetuate the Zulu customs, while their language is that of their mothers. Thus they wear the apron of eat-tails, and when engaged in war, kilts of skins around the waist or over the left shoulder and a headdress of raven and cock feathers, and carry clubs and stabbing assagais. the shafts of the latter being orna mented with goatskin. The oval shield of ante lope or eowskin, like that of the Zulu and Mata beles, is also carried. They wear a profusion of personal ornaments, strips of hide with long hair secured around the leg and upper arm, armlets of elephant toe-nails and ivory, and charms in shells, antelope-ho•ns. or beaded leather cases.
The Zulu head ring of plaited hair and wax is sometimes seen and the ears are bored to hold blocks of polished wood or ivory. The Mangoni are fine specimens of men and carry themselves well. The chief owns the herds of cattle. while the flocks of sheep and goats belong to indi viduals. Their villages are large and are com posed of circular wattle and daub houses sur rounded by compounds fenced in with reeds. Their vegetable food consists of maize, sorghum, cassava, rice, millet, sweet potatoes, beans, and peas. Cotton. oil seeds, and tobacco are also raised. The rule of the chief is supreme, but there is a numerous body of ;dinrs or councilors, whose advice is sought. These councilors are assigned to various districts, for which they are responsible to the chief. The clan system pre vails. The religion of the Mangoni i the wor ship of ancestors, and in the cult ceremonies and offerings are made to appease them. Several grades of witch doctors are possessed of priestly authority; the chief is high priest by virtue of his office. The best account of the Mangoni is given by Robert Codington in the Geographical Journal (London, 1898).