BUGUFU AND URUNDI. 259 



small circle, clapping their hands and dancing, 

 while one or two in the centre went through the 

 usual body and wrist motions of the West African 

 dance. The performance would end in a long, 

 drawn-out, melodious squeal. Then they would 

 bundle up their babies and run on for another 500 

 yards or so, to go through the whole of it again. 

 The men would collect on any bare piece of ground 

 in a semi-circle and stamp and posture dance, 

 keeping time with feet, bodies, and neck ; every 

 now and then they would jump into the air coming 

 down with a unanimous thud which made the earth 

 tremble and the dust fly. They had also many 

 horns which gave forth a frightful sound. The 

 noise was quite indescribable. 



When I stopped, one after another would come 

 and kneel down before me clapping their hands ; 

 every one would bring a small piece of grass or a 

 bit of banana leaf or barkcloth fig, which they 

 would lay at my feet. I presume this was in- 

 tended to symbolise that the country was com- 

 pletely at my service. 



They are a healthy, athletic set of people, and 

 I fancy well able to hold their own though they 

 are attacked by the people of Kishakka and the 

 Warundi. They are not Wahima, being much 

 shorter and with more hair on the face. In cha- 

 racter they are also very different. The Wahima 

 are sulky, selfish, and keen at a bargain ; but these 

 people are very emotional and passionately fond 



