of Edinburgh, Session 1885—86. 
711 
stranger is always invited to partake. Chiefs visiting the king 
stoop or kneel before him ; he stretches out his hand, which they 
touch between both theirs, after which they place their hands on 
their lips. If any one receives a favour of the king he thanks him 
in a peculiar manner. He kneels down, and placing both hands 
together he sways his body backwards and forwards, his hands 
rising and falling on either side of his face, while he says Nyanzig 
(I thank), repeating the wmrd and action some twenty or thirty 
times. He then suddenly falls flat on his face, and commences to 
beat the ground with his hands and cheeks, the head being rotated 
at each prostration, first one cheek and then the other touching the 
ground, the legs being vigorously kicked at the same time. At 
court it is customary if the king laughs, for every one to laugh, at the 
same time placing the hand before the mouth. If the king sneezes, 
everybody sneezes ; should the king have a cold, every one simulates 
one ; and as I have before mentioned, if the king visits his barber, 
every one does the same. Should a favour be requested by a high 
chief and granted by the king, the chief snatches up a stick, charges 
towards the king, executes a dance, and expresses his gratitude with 
exuberant compliments. 
On all occasions rules of precedence are strictly enforced. 
Strangers rank next the host at social gatherings. 
Flattery is very commonly practised, but this is less so in the 
country district than at the capital, where an artificial polish 
exists. 
Ho remarkable ceremonial customs obtain in Uganda, nor are 
there any ancient feasts or harvest festivals. 
Should a man meet any of the king’s wives in the street, he turns 
aside and averts his head. When at court, too, men are very careful 
not to look at the king’s women, as they might be charged with 
flirtation. On one occasion, one of my servants nearly lost his 
head by not knowing this rule. I had taken him up to court to 
vaccinate him in the king’s presence, and whilst I was preparing to 
do so, he commenced a mild flirtation with one of Mtesa’s wives. 
The chiefs were intensely indignant, and demanded his execution, 
but the king for once listened to my protestations, and a good laugh 
at last ended an awkward scene. 
Speaking of women, it is the custom for strangers to be provided 
