Dinkas of lior. 145 The usual buildings of a family consist of one tukl (Ud) per wife, one extra large tukl (Luak as cow stable, and the " Gu " or granary, a kind of miniature tukl raised off the ground on wooden legs.

In the rains water is stored in fulas, as the water in these gets low, a series of circular holes, 2 or 3 feet deeper water than the fula, are dug round its circumference, and the remainder of the water is drained into them. These holes sujjply.

are then thatched with dura stalks, and water is economised by thus diminishing the loss by evaporation, as well as by draining the wet mud at the bottom of the fula.

When these holes run dry water has to be carried by the women often 10 miles or more from the river. From Bor a dry road, though not yet explored, undoubtedly leads north to Twi or Twich. A good path with Communicarest-houses at frequent intervals leads south up the right bank to Mongalla and Gondokoro. *><>»»• Communication with the Aliab, a tribe rich in cattle and grain, living on the west bank opposite to and south of Bor, is maintained by dugouts to Uternau, thence by road to Sheikh Anok, Mek of the Aliab, who lives about 25 miles west of Bor Military Post.

A good deal of dura is grown by sheikhs Bor and Kur. It is of the white variety and of excellent quality. Cultivation. The Dinkas are great smokers, and cultivate sufficient tobacco for their requirements.

Large numbers of cattle (Wong) and a good many sheep (Amal) and goats (Biu) are owned by these Dinkas. Cattle and The grazing stables or cattle zeribas are called " Mura." The price (Tick) of a wife used to be five cows or forty sheep, goats. Cattle being now scarce, owing to Arabi Dafaalla's prolonged residence at Bor, the price of a wife has been reduced to one cow.

Bows (Danga) and arrows (Juet) are in general use, and are looked upon as the principal weapon for fighting, as Arms, their lances are indifferently manufactured.

Some of the wood from which the bows are made is said to come from Dar Fertit ; the arrows are made of cane with iron or hard-wood points, and are poisoned by soaking them in the milky juice (Byol) of the Euphorbia candelabrum, which grows hereabouts.

The Dinkas are very inexpert smiths, and so generally have their lances made by the Jurs and Aliab of the west bank in exchange for sheep or goats.

In addition to their bows and spears they usually carry an ebony club. Iron bracelets (Lung Kok) are made locally. These are about the only things a Dinka smith can make. A Ornaments. Dinka receives his bracelets on coming of age and is then not allowed to part with them.

Ivory bracelets (Gong) are only occasionally seen, as these people are not great hunters, though elephants are very numerous in their country.

The Jenotor* (Guainakwach) are the favourite beads, but they are very particular as to the kind. The most popular are black with red and white spots. Forty of these beads make a necklace and will purchase a sheep or goat ; five is the price of a hen and three will buy five eggs.

Brass wire is not nearly so much appreciated as iron or the right sort of beads. It is hammered into bracelets by the smiths, but they prefer to buy these ready made.

Goat skin bracelets are also worn by the men as well as by the women who wear, in addition, brass bracelets round the wrists and ankles, and strings of small blue or white beads round the waist. The men as a rule are naked, whilst the women wear the usual skin apron in front and occasionally behind. At present cotton cloth is considered a prohibitive luxury and is not of much use as barter, though acceptable as a present.

The word of greeting is " Akingedo " and the reply to this is the same word repeated. Word of The dialect of these southern Dinkas varies considerably from that spoken in the northern districts. hmfrue*" The Dinka is so abnormally lazy that he has no desire whatever to hire himself for work of any description, gjj/ Carriers are most difficult to obtain from them even when applied for through' the medium of their most influential heikhs.

At certain seasons they are busily occupied with their cultivation, but for the remainder of the year, with the xception of the few engaged in superintending the grazing of the cattle, they Uve in absolute idleness, varied only by an occasional and generally futile hunting or fishing expedition.

The women on the other hand are very industrious. On them falls the heavy work of pounding the dura into flour and preparing food and other household duties, as well as carrying water which has often to be brought from a great distance. Salt is not eaten by the Dinkas, nor is it sought after Uke sugar, and they do not appear to have any substitute for it. The women usually drink milk flavoured with cow's urine, but the men as a rule drink it unadulterated.

As is stated on p. 128, the Dinka beUeves in a Creator of the world and mankind known as Deng-Dit. It was Ileligion. only after man had learnt to sacrifice cattle and sheep to Deng-Dit that woman became fniitful and man was able to Knrnr.cigate his species. The Dinkas have regular priests (Tieit) who are not, however, professional men, but live and work like the ♦ Or " Gianotta ; '' vide p. 120, footnote.

V I