"The great sheiks paid me a visit, together with many of inferior rank.
Lokara, Quonga, Matonse, and Pittia, were among the principal chiefs of
the country. As they were sitting before me, Lokara lighted a huge pipe
and immediately commenced smoking. This is a great breach of etiquette,
as smoking is strictly forbidden in the presence of Kabba Rega.
"My old Cairo dragoman, Mohammed, who was now thoroughly installed as
one of the expedition, was well up in the customs of the country, and he
quietly resented the insult of the pipe.
"He gently approached with a bottle of water, which he poured politely
into the bowl, as though he was conferring a favour; at the same time,
he explained that in my presence every one smoked water instead of
tobacco. The hint was immediately taken, and the huge pipe, thus
summarily extinguished, was handed to a slave in attendance.
"We now entered upon geographical discussions. All the chiefs declared
that the M'wootan N'zige extends beyond Karagwe, and that it exceeds the
Victoria N'yanza in size. The native name, in Unyoro, for the Victoria
N'yanza is simply N'yanza, and for the White Nile, Masaba.
"There is a country called Barega on the Albert N'yanza, south-west of
Uganda, governed by a powerful king whose people are armed with bows,
and arrows that are feathered. I have never yet seen feathered arrows
among the White Nile tribes.
"The great mountain Bartooma is again mentioned, as on my former
journey. I imagine it must be identical with the M'fumbiro of Speke.
"I shall send an expedition front Magungo to Ibrahimeyah by river to
prove the capabilities of the route. I shall form a station at Magungo
to trade with Malegga on the opposite shore. I shall then thoroughly
explore the Albert N'yanza in boats, and afterwards proceed to King
M'tese of Uganda . . . .
"It rained last evening and during the night. Seven cows died. I have
erected a comfortable stable for the horses.
"April 1. - The people belonging to Suleiman hesitate to accept the
government pay, although a day or two ago they enlisted. I fear that
these people can never be trusted. I shall give them a little time to
consider, after which, if they refuse to serve, I shall turn them out of
the country. Every camp or zareeba is course full of slaves.
"There is a curious custom throughout Unyoro: a peculiar caste are
cattle-keepers. These people only attend to the herds, and the
profession is inherited from past generations. They are called Bohooma,
and they are the direct descendants of the Gallas who originally
conquered the country, and, like the reigning family, they are of an
extremely light colour. If the herds are carried off in battle, the
Bohooma, who never carry arms, accompany; them to their new masters, and
continue their employment. Nothing but death will separate them from
their cattle.
"April 2. - The natives built a zareeba yesterday for the cattle; but
they are dying as rapidly as upon the north side of the river.
"I tried to do a little geography with the sheik, Pittia. He was the man
who, some years ago, first gave me the information respecting the
distance of the Albert N'yanza from M'rooli. He would say nothing
without orders from the king, beyond telling me that you might travel
for months upon the lake.
"It is very annoying in this country that no information can be
obtained, neither can any work be commenced, without the direct order of
the king. My patience is sorely tried. No reply has as yet been
delivered to my message sent to Kabba Rega, although ten days have
elapsed.
"My desire is to benefit the country by opening the road for legitimate
commerce; but the difficulties are great, as the king will endeavour to
monopolize the market, and thus prevent free trade.
"April 3. - I sent for all the great sheiks to complain of Kabba Rega's
conduct. This young fellow was evidently aping the manners of his
father, Kamrasi, and attempting to show his own importance by keeping me
waiting. The sheiks explained, that before my arrival, Suleiman had
agreed to furnish soldiers to assist the forces of Kabba Rega in a
united attack upon Rionga; and the army was now only a short distance
from this spot, expecting the promised aid. My arrival had upset all
their plans, as I had forbidden all action until I should have had a
personal interview with Kabba Rega.
"The military operations were in abeyance until a reply should be
received from the king. The return messengers were expected this
evening.
"The sheiks declare that the ruling class in this country are all
exceedingly light in complexion 'because they do no work, but sit in the
shade and drink abundance of milk.'
"The natives of Unyoro are very inferior in PHYSIQUE to the Fatiko. This
is the result of vegetable food without either cereals or flesh. None of
the general public possess cattle; thus the food of the people from
infancy, after their mothers' milk has ceased, is restricted to
plantains and the watery sweet potatoes. The want of milk is very
detrimental to the children. The men generally exhibit a want of muscle,
and many are troubled with cutaneous diseases.
"April 4. - The messengers are reported to have arrived from Kabba Rega.
Last evening, at 8 P.M., we had a very heavy storm of rain with thunder.
Fifteen cows died to-day, and I fear we shall lose the greater portion
of the herd. All cattle that may be brought from the countries of Bari,
Madi, and Langgo, are said to die on arrival in Unyoro.
"April 5. - The great sheiks, Rahonka and Kittakara, arrived, together
with Lokara and Quonga, and the smaller fry, Pittia and Mallegge. The
latter was my guide to the Albert N'yanza many years ago.
