ABSTRACT
Although stock and especially cattle play an important part in the life of the average Sukuma, he is primarily a cultivator of the soil and not a cattle-breeder. Cattle given into trusteeship remain the property of the owner together with their offspring. A gift of cattle must be made before witnesses. The witnesses are usually the donor's children, his wife or wives, a few near kinsmen, and neighbours. Usually a man who possesses more than about thirty beasts has to herd his own cattle. The owners of small herds join in herding their cattle together and the joint herd of several owners is called ludima. The owner is not allowed to take his cattle away from their pasture in the absence of the trustee. The cattle of a ludima are driven by the owners to a meeting-place and handed over to the herdsman of the day.
