of Edinburgh, Session 1885 - 86 . 
749 
the appointed time, the next new moon, they assembled in great 
numbers, so great that they could not be counted. Several leaders 
were then appointed and they attacked tlieir enemy’s hut, which was 
soon all “ eaten up.” The man, his wives, and his children, were 
also not spared. Know then that the big should not ill-treat the little. 
The children are sometimes amused by having tales told them on 
their fingers. The following string of words for instance, is told off 
on the five fingers. Mkazi, nyumba, mulongo, toki, mwengi. This 
is probably intended to illustrate the five wants of a Mganda, for it 
means a woman, a hut, twins, bananas, and wine. 
The only real Waganda game is called mweso. It is played on a 
board containing thirty-two holes, and stones, coffee-berries, or beads 
are used. The people will play this game for hours on end, but I 
am sorry to say that I cannot explain it ; it was too difficult for 
me to comprehend. All I know is that two players move the stones 
from one hole to another under certain conditions, and under other 
conditions the one player confiscates the stones of another. That 
the game is an exciting one may be drawn from the fact that the 
players are often as furious as' crusty old whist players, and that a 
crowd collects to see the play. They are not, however, allowed to 
comment on the game until it is finished. 
Music . — The Waganda possess a decided genius for music, and 
are very clever in picking up new tunes. Their voices are soft, 
clear, and melodious, and of considerable range. They have a great 
variety of tunes, orchestral, dance, and vocal music having distinct 
characteristics. They prefer their songs to be accompanied, but are 
quite capable of keeping in tune without this aid. They have solos 
and choruses, and many of their musicians improvise readily. Their 
bands are led by conductors, and some of them number 40 or 50 
performers. The king and chiefs have professional singers in their 
employment and private orchestras of stringed instruments, but they 
are mostly composed of the Wasoga, who are the best harpists in 
Central Africa. 
The Waganda have songs suited to various occasions — love songs, 
war songs, dirges, and songs to illustrate many of their traditions. 
The following two songs were translated by the Rev. C. T. Wilson, 
the first being in praise of Mtesa, and the second a lamentation over 
some dead chiefs. 
