88 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN waist and a necklace of dogs' teeth ; while some, in addition to these ornaments, had bangles on the arms and ankles, which made a jjleasing jingle as they moved with a slow undulating step. Their costume was completed by plumes of ostrich feathers fastened like a nimbus round their well-shaven heads. The women had on all their finery ; arms, necks, and legs were heavily laden with rings, and round the waist were innumerable strings of beads, iron chains, and shells, the fringe and *' tail " which hung down behind flapping up and down as they minced along. Both men and women were alike gaudy with a fresh coat of red paint, and a more unearthlylooking set of people can hardly be imagined.

A signal being given, the drums began to sound, the old people sitting on the ground beating time, by clapping their hands. The men and women separated, and, forming long lines between ns and the fire, began a kind of chant or song ; at first singing very softly, but gradually growing louder and louder. The singers were not motionless ; in time to the music they advanced and retired, executing with perfect ease and precision steps which would puzzle and astonish the most expert dancing-master. After the advancing and retiring had been continued about twenty times, the music changed and a large circle was formed, and all the performers moved round, at first slowly and then with gradually increased speed, until a rapid, giddy whirl was produced. Then