UGANDA JOURNAL.


 It is at this point that the Ajwaka comes, if he has received an invitation.
He covers the Atabo with earthen pots called agulu. Then there is a respite, so
as to enable the ancestors assembled in the room to taste the food spread out
for them. The food is covered so that its odour also may comfort the ancestors.
 After a short while, the pots which were carried to the Abila are returned
to its owner, in whose house the elders and the Ajwaka gather in order to eat it.
At the same time, out in the courtyard, the rest of the meat is cooked in the
agulu, except one foreleg which is presented to the Ajwaka. Another piece of
meat, with the bowels, is set aside for the elders who eat it the following day
in the house of the Won Abila. They eat by themselves.
 After the repast the elders come out, and go to stand in front of the Abila,
where the master of ceremonies is found to be standing with a hen, held by him.
Holding it by its feet, he makes movements upon the Abila. When he has finish-
ed this the neck of the hen is cut, and while the blood is flowing freely the
elders say,
 Remo tin wamiowu en.
 Here to-day, we offer blood.
 Komwa obed mayot.
 That our bodies may be healthy.
 Onre it is cooked it is offered with bread, but not by being placed under
the temple as was done before; this time each elder takes a morsel of bread
and then a bit of meat and making of them a round pulp they throw it at the
temple, while the chief says:
 Wamiowu cam dong en.
 Here we give you food.
 Komwa obed ma yot.
 That our bodies may be healthy.
 Wek too obedi
 That death may not come.
 Ka yam wan wape
 If we should not be here
 Cam mewu bene pe.
 You should not have had food.
 In this formula they express their belief that the souls of the ancestors have
it within their power to stave off death; and, that they may exert this power,
they say that if they were not living they would not be able to offer these
sacrifices, nor would the Abila have been constructed.
 Having finished this formula all throw on the ground small particles of
meat. At this moment the beer is offered, not only by the elders but also by
the elder women who present themselves at these ceremonies, even though
they are not related to the ancestors. They sip a mouthful and they sprinkle it
at the same time upon the temple while the elder says.