The following list of words will afford a fair example of the differences in language of the various tribes between Gondokoro and the equator:
Lobore. Bari. Shooli. Unyoro.
A fowl … … A-oo. Chokore. Gweno. Unkoko.
A mat … … Gallaca. Tero. Kaboone. —
Flour … … Arafoo. Bolo. Mocha. Obsano.
Fire … … Arsi. Kemang. Mai. Moora.
Water … … Yee. Feeum. Pee. Maizi.
Milk … … Leh. Leh. Chak. Amattai.
A cow … … Tee. Kitang. Deaug. Inte.
A bull … … Moniko. Moni. Tu-an. —
A dog … … Orke. Diong. Gunoah. —
Rain … … Yee. Koodoo. Kort. Injoore.
The sun … … Yetakali. Narlong. Tschen. Musanne
A chief … … rpi. Mattat. Ruort. Matongali
A sheep … … abeelo. Kabisho. Ramo. Imbuzi.
A goat … … ndree. Keene. Deall. Imbuzi.
The moon .. … mbah. Yarfah. Dooe. Quezi.
The stars . … eebi. Katchikoo. Lakori. Nynerzi.
Flesh … … sah. Lokore. Reugo. —
Dhurra (corn) . sih. Keemak. Gyah. —
A basket .. … voch. Soodah. Adooku. —
Beads … … ecoh. Sooksook. Teko. Unguanze.
Coracan Elcusine Loque. — Kaal. Burroi.
Unyoro Unyoro
A tree … … Bisale. Halt … … … Indeenda.
Far off .. … Arrace. Go away … … Taisa Genda.
Near … … Aiee. Come here . … Igghia.
Not far .. … Ampi. Sit down … … Iu-karra-hanze.
A house .. … Engooi. Get up … … Im-mookka.
Plantains … Bitoki. A man … … Moosogga.
Beans … … Koli. A woman … … Mookazze.
Butter … … Maggita. A girl … … Miss-sooki.
A canoe .. … Obwato. A boy … … Um-wana.
A paddle . … Engaiee. A thief … … Moosuma.
A mountain … Orsozi. (Lubari or
The earth … Intaka. Fish … … (Enchoa.
The sky .. … Iggohr. Wood … … Bitl.
A road or path Muhanda. Eggs … … Yooli.
Go on … … Togendi.
DOMESTIC ANIMALS.
It is a singular fact that, although the domestic ox, sheep, and fowls are found everywhere among the negroes of Central Africa, there is no trace of the original stock among the wild animals of the country. The question arises—where did they come from?
Dogs are domesticated, and are used by the natives in their hunts. Those of Central Africa are miserable pariahs, but they are nevertheless much prized by their owners.
After the attack at Fatiko by the slave-hunters, which resulted in the dispersion of their party, upwards of 170 dogs became houseless. The natives asked my permission to capture them, and, having spread their hunting-nets, they drove the dogs as they would wild animals, and daily secured a great number, which they trained to hunt the calves of antelopes and the great grass-rat (Anlacodus Swindernianus).
Negroes have no sympathy with the young of wild animals, and I have never seen a pet animal or bird in their villages. Although I offered two cows for every young elephant they might catch, I never could prevail upon them to spare the little ones. Five were speared ruthlessly in one day, within two or three hours' march of Fatiko. A negro is never seen without his spear, and he finds the greatest pleasure in sticking it into either something or somebody.