50 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

The ironwork is not as good as in Uganda, neither is foreign work so well copied. The hammers and anvils used are stone, but the bellows are constructed in a very neat manner. Two or three large earthenware bowls, with a hole at the side, are placed near the fire, from which hole a clay pipe is constructed leading up to the fire. The tops of the bowls are covered with a soft goat-skin, to the middle of which a short hollow stick is made fast ; this being moved up and down causes the required draught. The blacksmith generally sings a low chant in time to his work. Spear-heads, hoes, chains, and bracelets are the articles commonly made.

As in Uganda, plantains and sweet potatoes form the staple food of the Wanyoro : the potatoes are very large ; they are usually cooked by roasting in the ashes.

The native music deserves a reference. The people play on a lyre made of five strings ; the tunes are very melodious, and the Wanyoro are proficient in impromptu song. The musician generally has a number of charms hung on his arms and round his neck, and a goat's beard is often fastened to his chin.

While playing he sways his body gently to and fro, or from side to side, and wags his head backwards and forwards, the goat's beard adding to the efi'ect.

The characters of musician and bufibon are often combined ; but the jokes and songs are for the most part very indecent, though the thoughts sometimes