Everybody In Uganda Is Expected To Keep Spears, Shields And Dogs,
The Uganda Arms And Cognisance; Whilst The Wakungu Are Entitled
To Drums.
There is also a Neptune Mgussa, or spirit, who lives
in the depths of the N'yanza, communicates through the medium of
his temporal Mkungu, and guides to a certain extent the naval
destiny of the king.
It is the duty of all officers, generally speaking, to attend at
court as constantly as possible; should they fail, they forfeit
their lands, wives, and all belongings. These will be seized and
given to others more worthy of them; as it is presumed that
either insolence or disaffection can be the only motive which
would induce any person to absent himself for any length of time
from the pleasure of seeing his sovereign. Tidiness in dress is
imperatively necessary, and for any neglect of this rule the head
may be the forfeit. The punishment for such offences, however,
may be commuted by fines of cattle, goats, fowls, or brass wire.
All acts of the king are counted benefits, for which he must be
thanked; and so every deed done to his subjects is a gift
received by them, though it should assume the shape of flogging
or fine; for are not these, which make better men of them, as
necessary as anything? The thanks are rendered by gravelling on
the ground, floundering about and whining after the manner of
happy dogs, after which they rise up suddenly, take up sticks -
spears are not allowed to be carried in court - make as if
charging the king, jabbering as fast as tongues can rattle, and
so they swear fidelity for all their lives.
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