576 



BANTU NEGROES 



IX A KIIX.IO VILLAGE, WESTERN" SLOPES OF RUWENZOlil 



animal they will fece the rigours of a snowstorm. In tlieir eves it is 

 the principal inducement to ascend the mountains as far as the '' white 

 stuff," which to these naked people is ahiiost synonymous with death. The 

 only other motive which impi-lled them in times past to f|uit the belt of 

 forest and shiver in the caverns near the snow-line was the pursuit of 

 Kabarega's raiding soldiery. The Bakonjo for centuries have been raided 

 and robbed by the Banyoro people of Un\oro, Toro, and Ankole. At one 

 time, according to their traditions, they kept large herds of cattle; but 

 all their cattle were taken from them by the Baganda and Banyoro in 

 their incessant raids on the mountain })eo})le. The Bakonjo of the 

 mountains have always been very friendly to Europeans. I asked one of 

 their chiefs once why this excessive friendliness was manifested towards 

 us, of whom they knew so little, other than that we came to their country 

 to ascend their snow-mountains and to worry them for suj^piies of food 

 for our porters. The chief replied, " From the moment we saw the first 

 white man we felt sure that this was the [:ower which would defend us 

 against the constant attacks of Kabarega's soldiers. We were right, for 

 since you have ruled in the land our lives and property have been perfectly 



