3.50 
ISErOllT tirON PHYSICATi f'HAliACTEES OP NILOTIC NEGEOIO TKIHES 
Shill UKS 
This tribe constitutes one of the largest of the Nilotic negroid peoples, and thej' are con- 
sidei'ed to ])ossess affinities with the Dinkas, the llongos, and the llai-is. In Schweinfnrth’s 
account of this trilie' he states that “they inhabit the entire left bank of the White Nile, 
occupying a territory about ‘200 miles long and about 10 miles wide, which extends right to the 
mouth of the Gazelle Eiver. Hemmed in by the Ifaggara on the west, they are jirevented 
hy the river from extending farther eastwards, and only the lower course of the Sobat has 
anv of the Shilluks for its denizens. Their subjection to Egyptian government, which was 
completed in 1871, has caused a census to be taken of all the villages on the left bank of the 
Nile, which resulted in an estimate of about 3000. Taking the character of the villages 
into account, this would give a total of above a million souls for this portion of the 
Shilluks alone. Now, the Shilluk land, which lies upon the White Nile, has an extent 
of hardly less than 2000 square miles, and, when the nuinher of heads upon this is 
compared with those in the populous districts of Europe, we are justified in reckoning from 
(iOO to 02-5 to a square mile ; a result altogether similar is arrived at from reckoning based on 
the estimate of there being 3000 villages, each village having huts varying in number from 4/3 
to 200, and each hut averaging fpur or five occupants : this would give a total of about 
1,200,000. This, in fact, is an estimate corresponding entirely with what tlie i\Iudir of 
Fashoda, who was conversant with the details of all state affairs, had already communicated 
to me in 1869. ... In the Shilluk territory there are probably no less than 600 
residents to the square mile, whilst in Bongo land, within 180 miles to the south-west, there 
would be found hardly a dozen occupants on an equal area. Most of the negro tribes 
are distinguished by the form of their huts. The huts of the Shilluks are built with 
higher roofs than those of the Dinkas, and as a rule are of smaller circumference. The 
conical roofs do not rise to a peak, but are rather in the shape of flattened domes, and 
in this way they acquire a singular resemblance to mushrooms. (Fig. 57.) The external 
appearance of the Shilluks is by no means agreeable, but rather offensive to the heholder. 
Their physiognomy hardly offers that decided negro type which their swarthy complexion 
would lead one to expect, but, judged by the shape of the skull, this people belong to a less 
degraded race of Central Africa, distinguished from other negro stock by a smaller breadth 
of jaw and by a less decided narrowness of head. The stature of the Shilluks is very 
moderate, and, as a general rule, is short compared with that of the lank and long-legged 
Dinka inhabitants.” 
There is great variety in the way in which the hair is dressed. In some cases, however, 
the hair is closely cropped. Their arms are long spiked lances, and bows and arrows are 
unknown among them, as amongst the neighbouring Dinkas, whilst, on the contrary, amongst 
the Nuers they are the chief weapons. 
In many cases the teeth are deformed, though this fact was not noticed among the 
individuals who were measured by Dr. Pirrie. The measurements were made mostly at 
iVIelut, and two individuals whose measurements are included were examined at Taufikia. 
Stature, etc. The average stature of those who were measured was 17(>-7 cm. The 
average length of the head was 196 mm., and the average width was 140 mm. The cephalic 
index was, therefore, 71-4, and they show a distinct tendency to dolichocephaly. The face 
is wide, the index obtained by comparing the length with the width being as much as 
92 on the average. Several characteristic photographs showing the general build in this 
tribe are appended. 
Schwcinfurtli, ■' The Heart of .Afrioa." 
