Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 3.djvu/594

 the Lu-Ebo. At this confluence, about 120 miles from Luluaburg, following the windings of the stream, has been founded the fortified station which is regularly visited by the steamers of the Congo State. But from a third to half a mile higher up on both rivers the navigation is completely interrupted by falls and rapids. This region of the confluence belongs to the Ba-Kuba nation, which differs altogether in language and customs from the Ba-Imba, and which was lately said

to be ruled by a potent wizard, who condemned all foreigners to death. Nevertheless the traveller Wolf at last succeeded in penetrating into this region in 1885. The Ba-Kuba, who are a very numerous people, dwell north of the Lu-Lua in the clearings of the forests which stretch away to the Sankuru. They hold no intercourse with the Ba-Luba except through the agency of their vassals, the Ba-Kete, who occupy the banks of the Lu-Lua. According to their traditions they come