SHULI VILLAGE. 61 There were large wickerwork granaries, well plastered with mud and cow-dung, and raised on poles to protect the grain from the rats. In the clean square in the centre of the village, a large hut was built, in which all the young couples live, until the wife is about to become a mother, when they are allowed to have a hut of their own, and begin housekeeping on their own account.

Contrary to the usual rule which obtains amongst nesfroes, the women have a voice in the selection of their husbands. This custom is universal among the Shuli tribe, and probably accounts for the higher respect in which women are held by them, their position being much better than is generally the case among x\frican tribes, with the exceptions perhaps of the Madis on the east of the Nile and the Waguga near the Victoria Lake.

In the centre of the village was the stump of a tree, decorated with the horns of antelopes and buffaloes, and the skulls of lions, leopards, and wild cats. A seat was placed underneath this, but when I wished to sit down on it the natives made objection, as it was " Kojiir," or magic. The people were very friendly, providing my party with plenty of food ; and I had a large present of tobacco, but as it was prepared with cow's urine, of course I could not use it. The cakes are made in two shapes— some are round, weighing about 2 lbs., others weigh from 2 ozs. to 1 lb., and are cone-shaped.