Mittoo Lyre.
Mittoo air.
The implements in general differed very little from the industrial contrivances of the Bongo. Their iron-work is rougher and clumsier; but they take a great deal of pains in forming their arrow-tips, having scores of devices for shaping the barbs. One of their ordinary utensils is a crescent-cut ladle with a long handle for stirring their soup.
Graves, for the most part are seen like those of the Bongo; they consist of a heap of stones supported by stakes, on which is placed the flask from which the deceased was accustomed to drink; both Mittoo and Bongo too, as might be conjectured, have the same method of disposing of their dead, and erect the carved wood penates which have been already mentioned.
The use of the bow and arrow gives the Mittoo a certain warlike superiority over the Dinka, and among their neighbours they are considered to surpass the Bongo in their dexterity in archery. Their bows are four feet long, and of an ordinary form. Like the Monbuttoo, who have shorter bows, they use wooden arrows which are about three feet in length. The heads of these arrows reach to the middle of the length. The Mittoo despise the cumbrous protection of a shield, but they are careful to keep a liberal supply of spears.
FOOTNOTES:
[38] Bruce (vol. v., description of plate 24) expressly mentions the circumstance of the soft flesh standing up high on both sides of the indentation.
[39] ‘Le Fleuve Blanc: Notes géographiques de Jules Poncet,’ is the best publication on the White Nile that I know. It gives reliable details of J. Poncet’s interesting journey, and specifies many characteristics, founded on some years’ experience, of the different people of the district.