AMONG THE PAGANS OF THE SOUTHERN SUDAN 4 He has few vices, and until middle life, when his intellect is apt to become clouded through too much squatting in the sun thinking of nothing at all, he is a cheerful, goodnatured soul. At his best he is very lovable, and many of the Dinka boys trained in the mission schools have proved not only quick and intelligent, but capable of keeping true to their Christian ideals in spite of the contempt and ridicule of their non-Christian neighbours.

There is a good deal of difference between the manner of life of the riverside Dinkas and that of their brethren farther inland. Those living on the river bank subsist mainly by fishing, which is carried on by spearing the fish and by setting traps. The men frequently spend the whole night in fishing, using a light to attract the fish. Even when not so engaged, these Dinkas sleep little at night, and the entire population of a village may often be seen squatting round their smoky fires, chatting and. switching away the mosquitos with bunches of twigs.. This may partly account for their inertness and distaste for work during the day. At certain seasons of the year,. when fish is scarce, the riverside Dinkas are brought to the verge of starvation, for they seem to have no idea of obtaining food by other means, such as the snaring of animals. They subsist at these times on an unsatisfying diet of memories of past meals, hopes of more in the future, and water-lily seeds.

The inland Dinkas are far more industrious than those ‘living by the’ river: The former cultivate durra (native corn) with some success, although the uncertain rainfall, combined with their inborn tiredness. and a strong temptation to eat the seed corn, prevents. their getting very plentiful crops.

Their chief industry, however, is the raising of fine cattle, for which they are famous throughout the Sudan. Any one wishing to open conversation with a Bor Dinka cannot do better than talk about cattle, and it is not the Dinka who will tire of the subject first. Their interest im their cattle amounts to a passion, and for them they will go through any amount of hardship and even danger.

The women of the Bor Dinkas lead a fairly busy life,