Africa, Central -- Description and travel; Slave trade -- Africa
"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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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