334 RUMBEK.

the indolence of the people. When they go along the waterless stretch to the market at Rumbek in the winter, the dry season, they have no need of water; and in the summer, the rainy season, there are pools enough from which they can drink.

Many mosquitos were found near the water, and it was perfectly astonishing to see the immense quantities of earwigs (Forficula sp.), of a species having an orange-coloured thorax with a black stripe. On entering an Agar hut you are literally covered with these Orthoptera; the high grass also is perfectly alive with them.

The boundary between Afin and Atoi, two of the small strips of country into which the Agar territory is divided, was situated at two and a half hours’ march beyond the well. The cattle in this district were estimated at between five and six thousand. The district of Montij was characterised by its thicker woods. Large troops of baboons were met with here; they were taking their breakfasts, and hardly took any notice of us. A spot called Lermé, behind the village of Afiati, was pointed out to me, where a village with all its inhabitants, who were at the moment singing and dancing, was swallowed up by an earthquake. A very pleasant march through wooded country and amongst many villages, brought us at last to the station of Rumbék, the principal settlement of the Danagla in this country. It has been inhabited by them for many a long year, and I shall probably find a considerable amount of work to do before things are as they ought to be.

5. RUMBEK: THE AGAR AND OTHER DINKA TRIBES.

RUMBEK AND ITS HISTORY—THE AGAR TRIBE—MATRIMONIAL BARGAINS— WOMEN’S RIGHTS— ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE—DRESS AND ORNA-MENTS—DOMESTICATED SNAKES—A PARIAH TRIBE—SUPERSTITIONS.

RUMBEK, the capital of the district of Rol, was first occupied from Gabba Shambé by Alfonse de Malzac, an attaché to the French Consulate in Khartum, and a slave-dealer of repute.