26 Sobdt.
(b) The SobAt.
General Description. The mouth of the Sobat (sometimes called Bahr el Habesh or Bahr el Asfar) is about 505 miles south of Khartum by river. Iu January, 1863, Baker reports it as being bank- full, with a powerful current and a depth of from 26 to 28 feet. The water is far superior to that of the White Nile, but is yellowish in colour and colours the Nile for a great distance. The force of the stream is so superior to that of the White Nile that it banks up the waters of the latter as it joins them. This has the effect of heading back the floating vegetation.
The breadth of the mouth is given variously, from 60 to 140 yards, and the depth from 18 to 30 feet, evidently varying according to the season. The channel is very winding, and in the rainy season (May to October) is
reported navigable up to three days' journey beyond Nasser. In the dry season, however, it appears occa-
sionally to dry up altogether in parts.
The sources of the river are so far undiscovered, but
they must evidently lie in the mountainous regions of Southern Abyssinia, for the water is coloured by earthy volcanic matter. Four hours' steam above Nasser the river is said to be divided in four branches, named, from north to south, Adura, Nikwar, Gelo, and Abual, whose banks are inhabited by tribes rich in ivory and camels. The Jibbe (Juba ?) River is said to be the main branch
higher up.
Bottego's expedition in 1896 penetrated from Lake Rudolf to the upper reaches of the Sobat and followed the course of the " Juba " River (not to be confused with the other Juba which flows into the Indian Ocean), which
appears to be the main source of the Sobat. [On his way he came across two affluents on the right bank, the Gelo and Upeno ; he turned up the latter towards Abyssinia and was shortly afterwards killed by the natives, only two of his party (Vannutelli and Citerni) escaping.]
Theories in Abyssinia and elsewhere point to the Omo River as being the upper course of the Sobat. This has been denied by several travellers, but the question has not been finally set at rest (v. Appendix III for latest
information).