The Eastern Congo 



her legs were encased from ankle to knee in roll upon roll 

 of plaited fibre rings, a good eight inches deep. The Sultanas 

 were similarly ornamented but not to such an extent. As 

 we could not speak their language and had to use Lieutenant 

 Defawe as an interpreter, we got on very well considering, 

 many questions being asked and answered on both sides. 

 In return for the present of beads that we had brought along, 

 we were now presented with four neatly woven little baskets 

 at the making of which the Watusi women excel, but as 

 these baskets are difficult to obtain and were the first that 

 had come our way, this pleased us immensely. With many 

 handshakes we now retired, glad to have had the opportunity 

 of seeing the Watusi women, but glad, too, to get out of the 

 stifling atmosphere within their hut. 



Both Msinga and his adviser Lieutenant Defawe must 

 have taken quite a liking to us, for they did all in their power 

 to interest and amuse us during our stay with them. Having 

 a cinematograph camera with me I expressed a wish to take 

 some pictures of Watusi dances and sports, especially the 

 high-jump, at which I had heard they could beat all records. 

 No sooner said than done, and the word went round that on 

 a certain day, Msinga required the attendance of his best 

 dancers and young warriors to a dance-tournament. Both 

 my wife and myself looked forward to the day with the 

 greatest enthusiasm, feeling sure our friends the Watusi 

 would do justice to the occasion. The day selected turned 

 out to be perfect : sunny yet refreshingly cool at this six 

 thousand feet altitude. 



All was in readiness as we entered the great courtyard 

 facing the Sultan's highly-arched residence — even to beer 

 and cigarettes placed at our disposal by Msinga himself. 



44 



