Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 4.djvu/328

 268 SOUTH AND EAST AFRICA. before these rivers eraergo on the plains. The timid Amboella tribes shun the open plain, most of them seeking the seclusion of the fluvial islands or the marshy riverain tracts. Their reed huts, containing few objects beyond calabashes used for diverse purposes, are all erected on piles and defended by the stream or the sur- rounding quagmires. Although magnificent gruzing-grounds cover the greater part of their territory, which is also entirely free from the tsetse pest, the Amboellas breed no cattle, their only domestic animils being some poultry. But they are excellent husbandmen, raising fine crops, usually of maize, haricots, manioc, sweet potatoes, groundnuts, gourds, and cotton ; and, thanks to the great fertility of the soil, their industry generally enables them to keep well-stocked granaries. Being of an extremely gentle and hospitable disposition, they cheerfully welcome strangers visiting them, entertaining them with songs and music, and treating them as inti- mate members of the family circle. To the migratory movement drawing numerous northern peoples down to the /ambese basin corresponds an opposite tendency, by which the Bushmen and Hottentot tribes are attracted to the Ganguella and Amboella domains in the region of the Upper Ku-Bango. Of these the most important are the Mukassekeres (Mu-Kassckcre), a timid folk, who dwell in the woodlands and are ever ready to take flight at the approach of danger. Building no abodes of any kind, they encamp at the foot of the trees, living on wild berries, roots, and such animals as come within reach of their arrows. Occasionally they do a little bartering trade with the Amboellas, exchanging ivory and wax for manioc and other provisions. In some districts they have been enslaved ; in others they are still hunted like wild beasts, and are accused of all the crimes and outrages committed on them by their neighbours. Farther south, on the plains which gradually merge in the. Kalahari Desert, wander other Bushman tribes, who also live on roots and game. But their favourite diet consists of bull- frogs and large lizards. They have even a trick for compelling the boa to disgorge his half -digested antelope, finishing the meal in his stead.* The Ba-Yeye and Ba-Lunda Nations. On the Lower Ku-Bango and the plain of the " Thousand Lakes '* mention occurs of numerous groups, such as the Daricos, Ba-Yikos, Mukossos, and Ea- Najoas. The last named, instead of cabins construct platforms supported by tall piles, amid which fires are kindled to drive away the raosquitos. The Ra-Najoas are of Bechuana stock, like their western neighbours the Ba-Toanas, who about the beginning of the present century parted company with their Bamangwato kinsmen and sought fresh camping- grounds on the banks of Lake Ngami. Although far from numerous, the Ba-Toanas have become the masters of the land. But after first settling on the eastern margin of the lake they have been compelled to remove their chief residence to the Lower Ku-Bango, settling in the midst of the surrounding swamps in order to escape from the inroads of the JSlatebele people. I
 * Chapman, Travels into the Interior of South Africa.