82 
EASTERN ETHIOPIA 
VI 
of fig tree which flourishes in this fertile country. The 
hast on the inner side of the bark is removed in strips 
six or ten feet in length. Red bast is preferred. The 
strip, which varies in width according to the circum¬ 
ference of the tree, is soaked in water until it is a soft 
mass ; it is then beaten with a wooden mallet to uniform 
thickness and dried. The strips are sewn together 
with extreme neatness to any desired size. The bark- 
cloth is often variegated by bold stencilled designs. 
sometimes in grotesque patterns, by means of a black 
dye. 
It is the correct thing in Uganda for princesses and ’ | 
the wives of the chiefs to wear bark-cloth in preference ■ 
to calico. Bark-cloth makes a useful material for | 
binding writing books and blotters. 1 - 
Whilst at Kampala we had an opportunity of visiting | 
H. H. the Kabaka, a youth of fourteen years, the son of | 
Mwanga by a Protestant wife. He was born August 5 
I , 1896, and christened Daudi (David). The Kabaka \ 
is a well-grown and dignified youth, somewhat shy, but ' 
has a pleasant face and answers questions without \ 
reserve ; he is fond of dogs, mechanical toys, bicycles, j 
and motor cars. Mr. Sturrock, the clever tutor, 
informed me that the Kabaka is fond of reading, 
especially historical books and those relating to animals. j 
Kipling’s Jungle Book has for him a peculiar fascina- ] 
tion. The signature appended shows that he writes j 
English characters as neatly as any boy of a \ 
corresponding age in a public school. | 
H.H. the Kabaka of Uganda receives from the British 
Government £800 yearly, and on attaining majority I 
this will be increased to £1,500, and he will be entitled ! 
to a salute of guns. He became Kabaka, August 14, | 
1897, under a regency. i 
Facsimile of the autograph of the Kabaka of Uganda. 
