602 



BANTU NEGROES 



many different colours being used in the plaiting, the result being a really 

 exquisite piece of workmanship. Wooden spoons of quaint shape are cut 

 out of solid blocks of the same hard wood which is used for canoe planks, 

 and ladles are made of the same material. I have already described the 

 making of bark-cloth and the wooden mallets (their sides scored with parallel 

 ridges or a criss-cross file-like surface). Long wooden receptacles are also 

 carved out of a solid block of wood, and are fitted with a rounded cap, 

 stopper, or lid. The favourite white wood of which these things are 



371. THE FIRST ATTEMPT OF UGANDA CAEPENTEKS TO MAKE A WHEELED VEHICLE. (THIS LITTLE 

 CART BELONGS TO THE PRIME MINISTER, APOLO) 



made is decorated with all manner of patterns by means of red-hot iron 

 implements. 



BasJcehvurk is also much developed amongst these people, and is much 

 the same as that already described as in use among the Bahima, though 

 there is greater variety. Many of the plaited baskets of black and white 

 straw are charming in design. It is difficult to realise that the exquisite 

 workmanship of some of these baskets comes from the hands of a coarse- 

 looking negro. Some of their workmanship makes one imagine that a 

 fine chainwork of bast or the stiff rind of palm midribs may have 



