The Waha and Barundi 



Most of the Belgian officials when travelling in the district 

 carry a big gourd or demi-john with them, which they have 

 filled with milk in the morning and carried on the head of 

 a porter. The milk, which is very rich, is partly churned 

 in this way, and towards evening it is only necessary to 

 give the vessel an extra shake to obtain a good quantity 

 of butter. We, however, could never get milk in sufficient 

 quantities to do this, as the Barundi will only part with 

 fresh milk under pressure, preferring to let the calves have 

 any surplus over and above their daily wants. 



Like the Wahenga of Lake Nyasa, the Barundi become 

 immensely attached to their cattle (and no wonder, as they 

 are such fine beasts), but also like the Wahenga they carry 

 this liking a bit too far for the European, by using cow's 

 urine-for cleaning out their milking and other utensils. 



Arms are carried, but seldom used, in this part of the 

 country, either for defence or sport. That they would be 

 wanted badly and in a hurry or not at all, was the thought 

 that came to me as our caravan wound in and out through 

 the steep passes and over the ridges of this treeless country. 

 For capping many a ridge were to be observed groups of 

 truculent-looking savages, leaning on their long spears. 

 As a matter of fact the Barundi are a very peace-loving 

 people. Yet sometimes (as was the case not many months 

 ago, when the Belgians had to execute a Watusi chief in 

 this self-same district for the murder of some forty people, 

 including two mail carriers) it would seem as if, under the 

 rule of an unscrupulous Watusi sultan, they might prove 

 very dangerous to travellers through their country. 



In this case the natives, I think, were more interested 

 in us than badly disposed ; we were in any case well 



33 D 



