UGANDA JOURNAL.


 After they have been anointed on their breasts by the chief-elder, with
the wee (what remains of the food in the bowels of the goat) the following
words are pronounced:
 Komi obed ma yot: Cwinyi obed ma ngic.
 That your body be healthy, and that your heart may be in peace
 It is well to note that the young men of the relations eat only portions of
the forelegs of the goat, after having presented it at the Abila, to invoke a blessing.
 The last ceremony of this long series of functions is the sprinkling with water
of all present.
 The master of ceremonies sprinkles the crowd with a green twig of a tree,
having dipped it in the water with which he washed his hands before the meal.
He expresses every good wish:
 Nyodo onywal nyodo.
 Let there be one childbirth after another.
 Komwu obed ma yot.
 That your body be healthy.
 Wunek lee, bel bene otwi botwu.
 Kill the beasts and let your crops grow.
 Lotino ducu komgi obed ma yot, gudong.
 That your children be healthy and may they grow.
 At the same time he passes through the multitude, sprinkling them, with
a deal of solemnity. Then, again standing in front of the Abila, with much en-
thusiasm he pronounces the final words, which partake of the nature of a farewell:
 Kwaro tin dong ogoyo laa i wiwu.
 To-day you were blessed by the ancestors.
 Then the meeting is over, and so the day ends the initiation of the Abila.
 To have taken part in it is a sign of blessings galore.
 It must be remarked that the dance is performed only by circling the Abila.
 The following day the elders eat the piece of meat which had been taken
 from the fire to the Abila, the day previous; they also eat the meat which was
 kept in the bowels.
 For the women of the relations a goat is unceremoniously slaughtered. If
 the Won Abila has plenty of cattle he will have a bull killed in order that this
 day may be one of great rejoicing for all. This is done for the relations, but all
 who wish may take part in the feast.
 If the Ajwaka has been present, he receives, in addition to the presents
 enumerated, a foreleg of the victim; and also he is presented with a small goat
 and some flour.