of Edinburgh , Session 1885—86. 
767 
In the reign of Chabugu war was declared against the Wasoga 
for the first time. On the Waganda assembling to cross the Nile, 
the Wasoga mocked and defied them, whereupon a mighty chief, 
Wakinguru by name, requested permission to cross the river and 
attack the enemy single-handed. He was an immense man, and 
his shield was so heavy that it required two ordinary men to lift it. 
Taking this with him and a large bundle of spears, he challenged 
the Wasoga one and all to combat. They rushed forward to the 
attack, but so great was his strength that one man after another fell 
pierced by his spears before they could get near enough to injure 
him. He fought all day, slaying 600 men, and at night he recrossed 
the Nile, repeating this exploit on two succeeding days, when the 
Wasoga acknowledged their defeat and tendered their submission. 
As before stated, the graves of the former kings are kept in good 
order, this being considered a religious duty, as after death the 
Waganda monarchs are looked upon as semi-gods. 
Astronomy . — The length of the Waganda year is six months, this 
year and the lunar month being the only divisions of time. The 
first month in the year is the time at which they sow their seed, and 
is therefore called “the month for sowing food.” The others are 
called the “ months for eating food.” When the new moon is first 
seen there are great rejoicings, feastings, and dancing, but this is 
more noticed at the capital than elsewhere, and I cannot help think- 
ing that the custom has been introduced by the Arabs, it may be 
many years ago, notwithstanding the fact that the people profess to 
be able to manufacture charms more successfully at this period than 
at any other. With this exception there are no set festivals. The 
day is divided by the height of the sun in the heavens. The stars, 
of which many have names, are said to be inhabited by superhuman 
beings, who are thought to be very tall and powerful. 
Arithmetic . — Native names are given to numbers up to thousands, 
and the Waganda are very found of counting. The root of all 
multiples of 10 is kumi (10), e.g ., kikumi is 100, lukumi, 1000. 
They are expert in mental arithmetic, which is required in mweso, 
a game of which they are very fond ( see Games). Notwithstand- 
ing this aptitude, they seem to need aids to the memory of figures, 
for when sent for a definite number of men, cattle, &c., they use 
either twigs, stones, or a knotted rope as tallies. N o written signs 
