I SMlluks. 199 Jo-uk is recognised as the father and source of all life, of evil as well as good. He is treated rather as a deity to be feared and propitiated, but he enters into the small relations of life all the same, and most incidents, such as death, sickness, going on a journey, etc., are referred to his action. The Shilluks believe that Jo-uk is everywhere, and that man when he dies goes to Jo-uk ; but whether an5rthing happens to him in consequence seems doubtful.

To Jo-uk sacrifices are made at least once a year, at the beginning of the rainy season, and much of good and evil are attributed to him. This sacrifice consists in the slaying of an animal by the priest of each village for the people of his village, assembled at the house of the " Nyakang." The animal is slain with a holy spear, and the flesh divided among the people, cooked and eaten. Then follows a dance, with much drinking of merissa to make their hearts merry. For this sacrifice and dance, which is apparently the sum of their worship, there are especial houses. But in each village there is a small temple, similar in structure to the larger one. In this, or more correctly, around this, the elders of the people assemble for the transaction of all serious business, and call their gods to witness in all covenants. No village is without this small temple, and it is the only building on which any ornamentation is attempted. It is called the house of Nyakang, not the house of Jo-uk.

In cases of illness sacrifices are made to Nyakang. The Shilluks bury their dead inside the confines of their villages close to the house where the deceased had lived, killing a bullock at the wake, the horns of which are set up to mark the place of interment.

After Nyakang there have been, including the present one, 26 kings. The following is the list* : — History.

1. Nyakang. 15. Nyadok. 2. Dag (Dok). , 16. Akwot. 3. Odage. 17. Ababdo. 4. Kudit. 18. Awin.

5. Dokodo (Dakkode). 19. Akoj. 6. Boj (Boiwi). 20. Nedok (Nyadok). 7. Tugo (Tuka). 21. Kwad Keir (Kwat Ki). 8. Nya Dwai (Nya dwi). 22. Ajang (Ajung). 9. Nya Ababdo. 23. Gwin Kun (Kwoe Kon). 10. Muko (Mu Kao). 24. Yor Adodit (Yur). 11. Nya To (Nya Ta). 25. Akol. 12. Nyakong (Nik Kang). 26. Kur Wad Nedok. 13. Okun (Ukon). 27. Fadiet Wad Kwad Keir. 14. Nya Gwatse (Nkwaji).

Kur Wad Nedok was appointed king by the Dervishes as a reward, it is said, for betraying Mek Yor Adodit to them. During Kur's absence in Omdurman, Akol was appointed mek by the Shilluks. Ak Kwo Kwan, son of Akol, is a pretender to the throne, but has few adherents.

It is related that all kings from Dag to Nyadok were killed by the Shilluks. Kwad Keir, Ajang, and Gwin Kun fell by the hand of the " Turks." Yor fell in fight with the Dervishes. Kur abdicated. Akol is dead ; he is said to have been shot by the Dervishes. The descendants of the kings are called" Gwared," in contrast with the ordinary Shilluks, who are called " Ororo." The royal descendants form the upper class, while the Oroko are at the beck and call of the kings.

The idea of kingship is implanted wherever the Gwared exist, and the latter are numerous. It is, therefore, not easy to exterminate the idea of royalty.

Royalty in this country is royalty, both by selection and inheritance at the same time. It is so by selection because the leading men of the country select the king from a variety of claimants, and by right of inheritance, inasmuch as only sons of kings are entitled to ascend the throne.

The right of accession to the throne is acknowledged as belonging primarily to the sons of the late king.

* From Fatlier Banholzer's memo. The Rev. J. K. Giflfen gives an almost identical list, and includes an extra king.