82 EASTERN ETHIOPIA vi 



of fig tree which flourishes in this fertile country. The 

 bast on the inner side of the bark is removed in strips 

 six or ten feet in length. Red bast is preferred. The 

 strip, which varies in width according to the circum- 

 ference of the tree, is soaked in water until it is a soft 

 mass ; it is then beaten with a wooden mallet to uniform 

 thickness and dried. The strips are sewn together 

 with extreme neatness to any desired size. The bark- 

 cloth is often variegated by bold stencilled designs, 

 sometimes in grotesque patterns, by means of a black 

 dye. 



It is the correct thing in Uganda for princesses and 

 the wives of the chiefs to wear bark-cloth in preference 

 to calico. Bark-cloth makes a useful material for 

 binding writing books and blotters. 



Whilst at Kampala" we had an opportunity of visiting 

 H.H. the Kabaka, a youth of fourteen years, the son of 

 Mwanga by a Protestant wife. He was born August 

 1, 1896, and christened Daudi (David). The Kabaka 

 is a well-grown and dignified youth, somewhat shy, but 

 has a pleasant face and answers questions without 

 reserve ; he is fond of dogs, mechanical toys, bicycles, 

 and motor cars. Mr. Sturrock, the clever tutor, 

 informed me that the Kabaka is fond of reading, 

 especially historical books and those relating to animals. 

 Kipling's Jungle Book has for him a peculiar fascina- 

 tion. The signature appended shows that he writes 

 English characters as neatly as any boy of a 

 corresponding age in a public school. 



H.H. the Kabaka of Uganda receives from the British 

 Government 800 yearly, and on attaining majority 

 this will be increased to 1,500, and he will be entitled 

 to a salute of guns. He became Kabaka. August 14, 

 1897, under a regency. 



^ ^ 



Facsimile of the autograph of the Kabaka of Uganda. 



