is not so actively pushed by the Ne groes as by the nations of South Africa, but the Nuers and Dinkas carry it on as zealously as the Hottentots. Cattle belonging to the Zebu race in the east, goats and sheep among the Niam-Niam and in the west, arc the domestic animals, besides dogs and chickens. The fact that the latter are not found among, the Niters and Dinkas is based on such regulations of food as we have hitherto frequently found. The flesh of these animals is riot so palatable as it is with us—a peculiarity met with in the cast as well as in the west of this vast district. Swine are also raised.
The Dinkas do not kill any of their cattle, but they cat those that (lie; they have great affection for their flocks, which constitute their pride, their pleasure, and their greatest wealth. The cattle are well tended by slaves, and when sick are kept in special houses. During the night they arc tied either in close proximity to the dwelling or in particular pens, and arc guarded by fires from being stolen, etc. Such care is rarely taken in the west, NN'licre, however, the Krus and Mandingocs are quite able stock raisers. The fact that the Fulah often lead a pastoral life and possess great herds does not distinguish them from the Negroes, for we find the same among the eastern tribes. Horses are plentiful only in Central Africa (61. 91, fig. 8; pl. 92, fig. 2; bl. 99, fig. 2), but everywhere they are considered of great value. Bees are kept in the west (Mandingoes) and in the interior of Soudan (Musgus).
the Negroes derive their food-supply principally from agriculture and stock-raising. But they are fond of fish, which they catch with spears (o/. 93, fig. 6, the figures in the skiffs), with nets, or with fish-baskets (pl. 99, fig. 2), and which are often eaten in a half decayed condition. Dog-flesh is everywhere an article of food. The products of the chase are of importance, especially to such nations as have no herds, and many wild plants and fruits are used. Prohibitions of certain articles, such as we have seen among the eastern peoples in regard to chickens (p. 335), are also numerous in the west, for entire tribes as well as for individuals.
Grain and dried fruits are ground between two stones in the manner of the Bantu (comp. pl. S6, fig. 3), or are pounded in wooden mortars, which either are portable (fl. 99, fig. 2) or are constructed on the ground in front of the houses, where the grain is also threshed on level floors. The Negroes generally cook their food in earthen pots of various shapes and sizes, in the manufacture of which they are skilful (fl. 92, fig. iS;
pl. 97, fig. 5, by the side of the sitting women); they generally eat from wooden dishes which are sometimes flat, sometimes very deep: the girl on Plate 99 (fig. 2), standing by the side of the sitting woman, holds one in her hand (comp. also pl. 96, fig. 2; J5l. 97, fig. 5). Meals are taken at regular hours, the principal one being that of the evening; cleanliness, and even some grace, prevail at eating. The Negroes in general eat plentifully, but they are not voracious, and know how to content them selves with little.
Stiildants.—In many places (for example, in the east) they have hardly any salt, but they are not without stimulants. Aside from half-decayed, piquant fish and the fruits like the kola-nut, which they chew, they have palm wine, and they brew a kind of beer from grain. The Negroes are fond of these beverages, and their festivities often become wild orgies, but in general they are not addicted to drunkenness. The most import ant stimulant is tobacco, which, mixed with ashes or soda, they snuff or chew, but most frequently smoke from long pipes made of clay, of the stems of banana-leaves, or of iron. The size of the bowl varies (fil. 93, fig. 6; 96, fig. 2).
The Bari Negroes, the Nners, Dinkas, and Shilluks, smoke from enormous bowls, on the long stems of which a gourd filled with bast figures as a mouth-piece (pl. 93, fig. 6, somewhat indistinct): the bast, which absorbs the nicotine, is afterwards chewed. They generally smoke in company, passing the pipe after a few draughts, and even the chewed bast. In the east the women also smoke passionately (pl. 96, 2); in the west the Mandingoes do not smoke, as it is prohibited to them and other nations (\Vaitz).
Industrial Negroes have considerable industrial ability. We have already referred to their manufactures of dress and pottery (p. 3 1 2). They obtain salt, to them a valuable article, by evaporating sea-water or by burning certain plants and lixiyiating the ashes. Some of the western tribes make their own gunpowder. Their housebuilding is important; they also build bridges and dig wells; and the art of pro curing iron is known throughout the entire south. In the east and west they erect small furnaces of clay, and use the style of bellows which we have already seen (p. 313) in South Africa (pl. SS, fig. 19). They employ heavy stones in the place of hammers (pl. SS, fig. 19). They manufacture artistic articles—for instance, rings worn as ornaments.