In Darkest Africa, Vol. 2; or, The Quest, Rescue, and Retreat of Emin, Governor of EquatoriaStanley, Henry M. (Henry Morton)
History
In Darkest Africa, Vol. 2; or, The Quest, Rescue, and Retreat of Emin, Governor of Equatoria
Stanley, Henry M. (Henry Morton)
Africa, Central -- Description and travel; Emin Pasha, 1840-1892
As for Nyanzas, the number became perplexing. There is the Nyanza of
Unyoro, the Nyanza of Usongora; the Nyanza of Unyampaka; the Nyanza of
Toro; the Nyanza Semliki; the Nyanza Unyavingi; the Nyanza of Karagwé;
and the Nyanza of Uganda. So that a river of any importance feeding a
lake, becomes a Nyanza, a large bay becomes a Nyanza; a small lake, or a
greater, is known as a Nyanza, or Ruweru.
[Sidenote: 1889.
June 11.
Mtsora.]
Those semi-Ethiopic peoples who were known to us at Kavalli, as the
Wahuma, Waima, Wawitu, Wachwezi, were now called Waiyana, Wanyavingi,
Wasongora, and Wanyankori.
Ruwenzori, called already Bugombowa, Avirika, and Viruka, by the forest
tribes, became now known as the Ruwenzu-ru-ru, or Ruwenjura, according
as a native might be able to articulate.
The Butahu River separates Ulegga from Uringa.
The Wara-Sura were gathered under Rukara, a general of Kabba Rega, King
of Unyoro. Some of these ferocious raiders were said to be stationed at
the ferry of Waiyana, a few miles north of here. The Wakonju offered to
assist us to drive them out of the land.
We were told that Rukara’s headquarters were at Katwé, a town near the
Salt Lakes, which are somewhat to the south.
That on the western bank of the Semliki are the tribes Wakovi and
Wasoki, and that there are also Watwa pigmies.
We were informed that Usongora and Toro had submitted to Kabba Rega; but
the inhabitants of the lake islands refused to promise allegiance, and
it was said Kakuri, the chief, had applied to the Wanyavingi and
Wanyankori for assistance against Kabba Rega. We were promised the
submission of all the Wakonju and Wasangora if we entered into treaty or
agreement with them, and I accepted the offer.
The Wakonju people are round-headed, broad faced, and of medium size.
They affect circlets manufactured of calamus fibre, very slender, and
covering the ankles by hundreds. They also wear a large number on the
upper arm. The chiefs also are distinguished by heavy copper or brass
wristlets. The women’s neck decorations consist of heavy iron rings
coiled spirally at the ends. On the slopes of the mountain, I am told,
is found much fine crystal quartz.
At the entrance of almost every village in Ukonju may be seen a
miniature tent, with a very small doorway, before which the natives
place a banana or an egg. A tradition exists that Mikonju, the founder
of the tribe who first cleared the forest, and planted bananas,
initiated this custom to prevent theft. It is a tithe offered to the
fetish or spirit to remind it that they wish their banana groves, or the
eggs whence issue fowls, protected.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account