The Geographical Journal (Journal of the Royal Geographical Society): Volume IX, No. 4 [‎193v] (57/172)

374 TWO YEARS’ TRAVEL IN UGANDA, UNYORO, AND ON THE UPPER NILE.
between Kalengary hill and the high Mahorsi ridge. I noticed several
traps for hippos formed by upright poles with weighted spear-point
arranged so as to drop on the animal. There was a lovely bit of
country at Kitao, opposite Kajumbura island, covered with Borassus
palms and shady trees, with a green lawn stretching down to the
water’s edge. The remains of Kabba Rega’s residence, which he had
well chosen, were still to be seen, and on the rising ground among the
trees about a mile off were some Wakedi villages. Our troubles were
now to begin, and between here and Foweira we had to cross deep
swamps and rivers running into the Nile. No less than seven men
were frightfully bitten by crocodiles, two of them about 100 yards
behind me. Three succumbed to their wounds later on from blood-
poisoning. A crocodile scare occurred very easily after this, and it was
alarming to see the great mass of people swaying from side to side in
the deep water in their endeavours to get out of the way of the supposed
crocodile. Our next camp, Kosoka, was situated between the river and
a curious hill called Kibuze, on the top of which are strewn large
blocks of granite. This hill can be seen from Lake Kioja. On reaching
Niamabare, I followed the course of the river Lenga for some way on
a flying column with Lieut. Madocks. This is a large river, which,
according to a Wakedi prisoner, extends for a long way inland. We
passed through several large villages, which consisted of a quantity of
big cone-shaped huts, with a curious entrance forming a porch about
3 feet in diameter. The interior of the huts was in some cases painted
white, and ornamented with rough patterns. They had no protection
in the form of a fence round, and apparently the people live in peace
with each other, although they do not owe allegiance to any one man,
and each village is quite independent of the other. This fact would
make it rather difficult for any expedition entering the country, as,
although some villages might be friendly, the others could not be
depended upon. The people grow large quantities of mtama, dhurra,
sweet potatoes, semsem oil, tobacco, beans, etc., and have plenty of
honey. They possess few cattle or sheep, but a great quantity of
dogs, usually about the size of a fox-terrier, and a yellow colour. The
country is covered with low trees and bushes, and grass about 3 feet
high. The people, as can be gleaned from their name, Wa Kedi,
which means naked people, wear absolutely no clothes. They are a
small race; the men have the centre teeth of the lower jaw taken out,
and some have beads sewn on to a tuft of hair at the back of the head.
1 hey are a formidable race armed with spears and poisoned arrows,
and are fond of attacking at night. Some days to the north-east along
the Lenga is a country said to be full of camels, donkeys, and ponies,
and a people wearing gold ornaments in their ears. The people north
of the river Dukhi seem to be quite different, and have walled villages.
This river runs into the Nile at Foweira; the current is very rapid,