148 EXTRACTS FROM MEMBERS’ NOTE-BOOK 
Do Baganda Eat Lion’s Flesh ? 
I note that recently Mr. F. A. Knowles stated that Baganda 
eat lion’s flesh. They do not. I should be glad to know the 
district in which the lion was shot. I should say it must have 
been west on the borders of Ankole where the natives are not 
true Baganda. 
C. A. Wiggins. 
January 28, 1914. 
The lion was shot in Gomba and the natives referred to 
were Baganda. I saw them cut the flesh into pieces to dry 
(or cook) and eat, or sell to others to eat, as ‘ dawa ’ to give 
them strength. It is said to be particularly efficacious ‘ dawa ’ 
for children and is given to them to eat as medicine. The 
Baganda therefore do eat lion’s flesh for ‘ dawa ’ (medicine) as 
stated. 
Lion’s fat is much prized also for external use. This 
is corroborated by the chiefs whom I have again questioned on 
the subject since Dr. Wiggins contradicted me. 
F. A. Knowles. 
February 9, 1914. 
I knew lion’s flesh powdered was eaten as ‘ dawa ’ in minute 
quantities (I have seen it taken so) and that lion’s fat was 
much prized as an external application. But Mr. Knowles’ 
former note did not convey this impression. If I remember 
right — I quote from memory — he stated that ‘ Baganda ate 
lion’s flesh [no qualification] and that they consumed every 
particle of one he shot and what they did not eat they 
dried for selling.’ From his note on the last page, I gather 
he saw none actually eaten, and I still maintain Baganda do 
not eat lion’s flesh. Many tribes do eat it, as flesh. 
Because the English take opium as medicine you cannot 
say they eat opium. 
C. A. Wiggins. 
February 10, 1914. 
