Chapter III. 



and a few womfu they are not loaded with necklaces and 

 bracelets. 



Many a traveller has been astonished by their complex social 

 order, a veritable feudal system, while in their legends and 

 traditions, in the designs of their household utensils made of 

 plaited grass, in the form of their musical string instruments, in 

 their astronomical svmbols carved upon horns, and in certain 

 biu'ial rites, indications have been suffg-ested of relations and 

 contact with ancient Egypt. 



\'ISIT IIF A CHIEF WITH HIS COVRT, ERIXGIXG TEESENTS. 



The Baganda have preserved the history of their ancient 

 dynasty by puie vei'bal tradition. It consists of thirty-six 

 names of kings, and must date back as far as the fourteenth or 

 fifteenth century. 



The Suahili porters formed a smaller part of the caravan 

 than the Baganda. The Suahili are a cross between Arabs 

 and Bantu negroes. Coming oi'iginally from the coast, they 

 are now scattered over the whole of Central Africa. 



82 



