270 



FROM THE NIGER TO THE NILE 



hoop sometimes two inches in diameter. They often adorn 

 the rim with many httle brass rings or beads sewn in with 



^^.^^■•f- 



liAKANGO .VETII'-'D OV CATCHIXi; FI.SH 



elephant hair. They wear before and behind a covering in 

 shape and size Uke a large water-lily leaf, neatly woven out 

 of dry corn-blades. 



The Bakango are a fisher-folk and employ rough stockades 

 in the form of cages which are driven between the rocks in the 

 rapids ; into these the fish are swept by the strong currents. 

 They also poison fish with the branches of a tree, called 

 M'bete, that exudes a poisonous juice when cut ; the branches 

 are placed in a backwater where the fish come and feed on the 

 juice which has the effect of bUnding them. 



