50 
EASTERN ETHIOPIA 
IV 
the edges of two planks overlap a narrow strip of 
wood is firmly fastened to make them watertight. A 
strong spar traverses the sides of the boat near the prow 
and projects on each side beyond the planks; this serves 
as a handle to enable the boat to be drawn ashore. The 
narrow seats are fastened into the boat in a peculiar 
manner. When the side planks are fashioned, semi¬ 
circular notches are made in corresponding parts of the 
adjacent planks which receive the ends of the seats. 
The seat has a rounded knob at each end ; this knob is 
received in the holes formed by the apposition of the 
semicircular notches in the planks and projects on the 
outer surface of the boat. When the seats are in 
position a line of knobs is seen in the line of junction 
formed by the union of the first and second row of 
planking. The seats, therefore, give firmness to the boat. 
In addition to the sharp beak formed by the keel 
a movable prow (the prow of peace) is added, and 
in order to make it firm, a strong cord passes from the 
prow to the bow of the boat: this line is usually hung 
with grass or fibre cut to a convenient length. The end 
of the prow is often surmounted with horns. When 
completed the boat is usually smeared with red Uganda 
clay. The boat is impelled by paddles about three feet 
long; the paddlers sit with their backs to the steersman, 
who turns the vessel in any desired direction by using 
his single paddle like a lever on the right or left side. 
When the lake is calm a boat containing twenty 
paddlers can be impelled at a quick rate and for a long 
time. The paddlers sing monotonous songs as they 
urge their boats through the waters of the lake. It 
is an interesting sight to watch such a boat in 
motion ; the rhythmic movements of the paddlers would 
do credit to any crew; the handles of the paddles 
simultaneously strike the sides of the planks and produce 
a loud knock. The centre of gravity lies far back in the 
boat, so that the fore part is well out of the water; 
each is provided with a baler. 
