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
Every one acquainted with the above facts will at once perceive that
these salt basins are portions of the original lake occupying sunken
hollows, which were left isolated by the recession of the waters of the
Albert Edward Lake, and that evaporation has reduced the former sweet
waters into this strong brine.
Salt is a valuable article, eagerly sought after by the tribes round
about. The reputation of this deposit had reached Kavalli, where I first
heard of the greater Salt Lake as “Katto.” Flotillas of canoes come from
Makara, Ukonju, Unyampaka, Ankori and Ruanda, loaded with grain, to
barter for this article. Caravans arrive from eastern Ukonju, north
Usongora, Toro and Uhaiyana, to trade millet, bark cloth, beans, peas,
tullabun or eleusine, sesame, iron tools, weapons, &c., for it. The
islanders of Lake Albert Edward freight their little vessels with the
commodity, and with dried fish make voyages to the western and southern
shores, and find it profitable to carry on this exchange of produce. The
possession of Katwé town, which commands the lakes, is a cause of great
jealousy. The Wasongora owned it formerly, then Antari of Ankori.
Kakuri, the island chief, became heir to it, when finally Kabba Rega
heard of the rich deposits, and despatched Rukara to occupy the town.
Our march into Ukonju had instantly caused the Wara-Sura to evacuate the
plain of Makara, and our approach to Katwé had caused a speedy flight of
Rukara and his army of musketeers and spearmen. Wakonju, to the number
of 150 men in our camp, and Wasongora were joining, and supplying us
with information gratuitously.
In the afternoon of the first day’s arrival at Katwé we saw a flotilla
of canoes approaching from an island distant about three miles from the
shore. The crews were cautious enough to keep just within hail. We were
told that they had been sent by Kakuri to ascertain what strangers were
those who had frightened Rukara and his Wara-Sura from the land, for
they had done good service to Kakuri and “all the world” by their acts.
We replied in a suitable manner, but they professed to disbelieve us.
They finally said that if we “burned the town of Katwé they would accept
it as a proof that we were not Wara-Sura.” Accordingly, the villages
near the shore were fired, and the crews cheered the act loudly.
The speaker said “I believe you to be of the Wanyavingi now. Sleep in
peace, and to-morrow Kakuri shall come with gifts to give you welcome.”
Then Bevwa, chief of our Wakonju, stood on a canoe which was in the lake
and asked, “Ah, you children of Kakuri, the great chief of the sea, do
you remember Kwaru-Kwanzi, who lent Kakuri’s sons the spears to defend
the land from the Wara-Sura robbers. Lo! Kwara-Kwanzi, a true son of the
Wanyavingi, is here again. Rejoice, my friends, Rukara and his thieves
have fled, and all the land will rise as one man to follow in pursuit of
them.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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