UGANDA JOURNAL.


possible situation, for there will be no one to prepare the beer (Kongo), to
grind the millet or to attend to the other incidentals. Therefore he is no longer
obliged to erect the Abila, and the duty devolves on another.
 The circumstances connected with its erection vary. For one it might be
sickness in the family; for another some dire calamity or bad luck in the hunt;
for another help and deliverance in a moment of danger, in which case the Abita
is built not to propitiate, but as a thank-offering.
 There is the case also when the reason and desire for building the Abila is
the result of a dream, in which the Kwaro (ancestors) clearly express the wish to
eat. If the dream was confused, and 'there is still a lurking suspicion-which is
always strengthened by their superstition-the dream is taken as an evident
omen of exceptional importance. The Ajwaka is then consulted and he gives the
answer according to the mind of the ancestors.
 What is the time for the building of the Abila? It is the first months of the
Dry Season-November and December. At this time also the people are ready
to start their hunts, and they have plenty of food to inaugurate the ceremonies.
 The place where the Abila is built is in the central part of the court-yard
of the village, in front of the hut of the mother if she is still alive; if she is not,
in front of the hut of the wife. If the builder of the Abila has several women,
the Abila will then be erected in front of the hut of the one he first married.
 The distance between the Abila and the hut varies from thirty to forty feet,
and according to the space available. However, this rule is not a rigid one; for
I have seen several Abilas at a distance of three feet only from the hut. In this
latter case they were all to the left as one came out from the hut.
 At the time of the inauguration of the Abila others beside the elders of the
village, regardless of their family ties, participate; because they are familiar with
the ceremonies all the members of the clan, of both sexes, the sons and their
wives, the daughters and their husbands and their children, all take part. The
women take what food is necessary. The beer is prepared in the village where the
Abila is to be built. All the relations, near and far, must be present at the inaug-
uration ceremonies. If they fail to put in an appearance they fall into discredit,
and will call down upon themselves the chastisements of the ancestors.
 When a man is prevented, for any reason whatsoever, from taking part in
the ceremonies, the vengeance of the ancestors will not overtake him. On the con-
trary he will merit a special blessing. The Ajwaka is always consulted before the
erection, and as a matter of fact he has the last say-so in the decisions. It is very
seldom that he takes part in the inauguration ceremonies.
 Suppose the builder is poor or unable to build it; as he is in no position to
do so he is freed from the obligation, and the ancestors will not be vexed on
this account. In this case, and when all the clan has disappeared, the souls of
the ancestors will live along the banks of the brooks, where they feed on frogs
or upon leaves. Every so often, they will return to their grave.
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