The Eastern Congo 



of the surrounding banana plantations, and within the barri- 

 cade of giant trees felled one across the other as a protection 

 for the plantations against raiding elephants. 



The old chief had received news of our coming and must 

 have looked upon us as " pigeons to be plucked," for after 

 meeting him and at the subsequent palaver nothing under two 

 trusses of calico would tempt him to help us and organise 

 the Pygmies for an okapi hunt. Subsequently, however, a 

 few things changed hands between us, including a much 

 desired coat and trousers (an old hat we held over until the 

 hoped for okapi was secured), which brought about an ami- 

 cable settlement. Presently, therefore, the big village drum 

 beat out the message across the forest that a white man and 

 his bibi (lady) had arrived and wished to talk to the chief 

 of the Pygmies. This " call " was repeated several times 

 during the night, not only on the drum but by blowing 

 a series of blasts on a horn hollowed out of an elephant's 

 tusk. Both methods of communication are in use by the 

 local Wanandi and Wambuba, but trumpet signalling 

 is the only one in use,* and is generally understood by 

 the Pygmies. 



Nominally under the sway of Moera, as they roam through 

 his district, but in reality the original owners, and indigenous 

 race, of the Congo forests — and engaged in stealing from 

 the local plantations, hunting, trapping and grubbing roots, 

 and never camping for more than a few days at a time in 

 any one place — are four clans of Pygmies, known as the 

 Wambute. At times when they are hungry or in want of a 

 bit of old iron, tobacco, or what not, they will work for the 



* The Wambute themselves carve ivory trumpets which they decorate 

 with lizard skin and elephant hair and wear hanging behind their backs. 



148 



