IV 
THE ARCHIPELAGOES AND ISLANDS OF THE VICTORIA NYANZA 
The Victoria Nyanza abounds in islands; some are 
mere rocks sticking out of the water, and serve as 
basking places for crocodiles ; others are of large size, 
thickly wooded, presenting high hills and verdant dales. 
Many of the islands have played an important part in 
the political and religious history of Uganda. Headers 
interested in the religious war which took place in 
Mwanga’s reign should master the geography of the 
Lake Islands.^ The most important are Ukerewe in the 
south ; Buvuma, Bulinguge, and Koine in the north ; 
and the Sesse Archipelago in the north-west angle of 
the lake. Ukerewe, twenty-five miles long with a 
maximum breadth of twelve miles, lies within the 
German sphere of interest, off the northern corner 
of Speke Gulf. This island is fertile ; the central 
parts, rising to a height of 650 feet above the lake, are 
covered by an impenetrable [)rimeval forest capable of 
supplying useful timber. 
The Wa-Kerewe cultivate the soil and grow bananas, 
maize, sweet potatoes, sorghum, tobacco, gourds, and 
rice. Their domestic animals are humped oxen, goats, 
and sheep. They fish with weir baskets, and hook and 
line ; and catch the hippopotamus with the harpoon. 
The islanders are very superstitious and believe in 
evil spirits. “ At the door of the hut they often hang 
a great iron bell, against which the head strikes in 
^ The spelling adopted is the same as that found on the map of the lake 
constructed by Commander Whitehouse and issued by the War Office, 1910, 
4J 
