Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 1.djvu/142

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102
NORTH-EAST AFRICA.

Gordon removed his residence to Lado, or Lardo, some twelve miles farther down on the left bank of the river. This town, whose brick buildings and sheet-iron roofs are visible above the palisades, presents a fine appearance in comparison with the neighbouring villages. It is surrounded by a promenade; a eucalyptus, planted by Emin-Bey, towers above the house-tops; while till recently the quay was crowded with river craft. The other stations in the Bari country above Gondokoro are Kirri and Bedden, where the river is crossed by a ferry. South-east of Gondokoro stand the villages of Billigong or Belenián, noted for their iron mines and javelin and lance manufacturers. In the neighbouring Lokoya Mountains dwell the bravest

Fig. 34. — Bari Smiths.

of the Bari, against whom the whites settled at Gondokoro had often to protect themselves. Farther north the Berri, Bar, or Behr, occupying the prairies northeast of Gondokoro, form a group of tribes distinct from the Bari, speaking an idiom nearly identical with that of the Shuli, whom they also resemble in customs and appearance. Another kindred people are the Shir, whose villages line both banks of the Nile below Lado. Possessing no iron, these blacks fashion their arrow-heads from ebony-wood.

The Latuka Country.

East of the Bari, a territory well watered by wadies flowing towards the Nile from the south-east is occupied by the Latuka, who are entirely different from