Mackie Ethnological Expedition to Central Africa. 217 



was possible to make notes on the Basoga, and to work my way back to 

 Lake Kioga. From the most easterly point of the lake I took a steamer 

 and reached Bunyoro again, to commence the journey down the Nile. 



During this time I had been fortunate enough to find someone in each 

 tribe who knew one of the languages I spoke, and I could thus obtain my 

 information at first baud. 



We crossed to the north of Lake Albert to Ximule, and journeyed 

 120 miles on foot to Rejaf, where I discharged my boys, and came on to 

 Khartoum alone. 



At Eejaf I had the great advantage of being with the Eev. A. Shaw, of 

 Malek, who is conversant with the tribes contiguous to the Xile ; and 

 through him I learned much that was useful as we passed down the river. 

 The information thus gained inclines me to think that the various Sudan 

 pastoral tribes, commonly called Nilotic, are closely related to the pastoral 

 tribes of Central Africa. Here and there I saw, or learned of, customs 

 which I had also met with among the Bantu pastorals. It is important to 

 record the tribal customs of these Nilotics before they become contaminated 

 by western ideas or Muhammedanism. 



From Khartoum I went to Cairo and thence returned home. 



The expedition was undertaken chiefly to study the pastoral tribes of 

 Ankole, Bunyoro, Karamojo and the Gallas. It was hoped to obtain details 

 of the social anthropology which would be of value to science and to the 

 Government, especially in regard to customs affecting laud tenure, inherit- 

 ance, marriage and birth. 



It was realised that the natives would benefit if such customs could be reduced 

 to writing and made available for Administrative Officers and Missionaries. 

 I departed from England on June 14, 1919, and returned on November 15, 

 1920, so the work may be said to have occupied seventeen months. 



It will not, I hope, be out of place to put on record the debt owing to 

 Sir James Frazer, through whose untiring energies interest was aroused which 

 resulted in the expedition, and to thank Sir Peter Mackie, who not only 

 provided the funds necessary for the expedition, but also relieved me of 

 much of the preliminary labour of organisation. His active help was also 

 given throughout the months I was in Africa. 



Mr. Wellcome was good enough to supply me with medicines for the 

 expedition. These I found of great value, both for myself and for my men. 



Of those who helped me in Africa I should like to thank the Governor of 

 Uganda and his staff for their kind and courteous help, and for the many 

 tokens of personal interest I received at their hands. 



