638 BANTU NEGROES 



the Bantu, though the Bantu race — if there be any such racial distinction 



is probably composed of a West African stock that has been modified 



and slightly improved (in some cases) by ancient Hamitic intermixture. 

 Bao-anda of the West African kind are tall, loose-limbed, muscular people, 

 and this tvpe is well represented by the present Katikiro, or prime 

 minister. Men of this description are often met with over six feet in 

 height, though somewhat clumsily built, and entirely lacking the grace 

 and suppleness of the Hima. The third element in the composition of 

 this population is the Gala herdsman from the north and north-east. 



Portions of the modern Kingdom of Uganda belonged to Unyoro and 

 to an Hamitic aristocracy down to within four years ago ; but, according 

 to tradition, nearly all the present Kingdom of Uganda, except some 

 districts actually bordering the Victoria Nyanza,* were at one time part 

 of the Hima kingdoms founded in Ankole, Toro, and Unyoro. Never- 

 theless, it would seem as though the districts bordering on the lake shore, 

 which are characterised by a good deal of marsh and very rich forest, and 

 are consequently somewhat unhealthy to the European and the Hamite r 

 were never occupied by the Bahima. Representatives of this race, 

 however, have affected the physical aspect of the people of Uganda by 

 their introduction into the country as herdsmen, and by the fact that it 

 has been the constant practice of kings and chiefs to obtain beautiful 

 Hima girls as their wives or concubines. Consequently, a few pure- 

 blooded Bahima and a great many half-castes between the Hima and the 

 Negro are to be met with at the present day in Uganda, while not a few 

 individuals amongst the more or less pure negroes bear testimony in their 

 greater refinement of features to the intermingling of the Gala with the 

 Muganda. 



Measurements of a few Baganda are given in the tables of anthropo- 

 metrical observations. The average of twenty measurements of men and 

 twenty of women taken by Mr. J. F. Cunningham give the average 

 man's height as 5 feet 4^ inches; chest measurement, 33^ inches; 

 length of foot, 10 inches; measurement round the neck. 13^ inches- 

 and round the nates. 35^ inches. The average height of the women 

 was 5 feet 1^ inches. Round the chest they measured 32^ inches. 

 The length of the foot was 9^ inches ; the measurement round the 

 neck, 11^ inches; and round the nates, 35 inches. The expression of 

 the features in the negro Baganda is .mild and agreeable. A good deal of 

 hair grows on the men's faces, especially in the form of whiskers. The 

 physiognomy of the average Muganda is thoroughly negro, and the skin 

 is usually very black, except where there has been distinct intermixture 



* The Sese Archipelago and the Bukerebe Islands were both at one time under 

 Hima domination. 



