UGANDA AND THE WAGANDA. 153 down to the heels, and is secured round the waist by a sash or girdle. Kuftans or chogas, embroidered gowns of woollen stuff, and of various colours, are worn by the king and richer chiefs, while trousers, stockings, red shoes, and fezes have been introduced, and are gradually spreading through the country.

The arms of the Waganda are spears, which are generally very well made ; the head is about fifteen inches long, the blade being about two-thirds of that length; the shaft is ordinarily about seven feet long, and beautifully turned. They also carry a large oval shield which covers the greater part of their bodies. These shields are made of a light wood, and slope backwards at a slight angle, and are covered with open basket-work made of thin strips from the stem of a creeper. There is a boss in the centre, and the inside is hollowed out to reduce the weight ; a wicker handle, frequently made in the shape of a lizard or some other creature, is fastened inside. The Wahuma use bows and arrows in addition to spears. The bows, which are rather large, are unusually stiff; the arrows are about three feet long, and often hideously barbed, and sometimes poisoned ; but owing to the extreme stiffness of the bows they seem unable to discharge an arrow effectively to a greater distance than forty yards.

The Waganda, besides their native weapons, possess a tolerable number of guns, the total number in the country being probably about 2000. These