Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 1.djvu/290

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226
NORTH-EAST AFRICA.

the form and size of umbrellas. In their eyes this emblem is the proof of the degree of civilisation that they have attained. The Kadalos, whose villages are built on impregnable rocks, ornamented with tufts of foliage in honour of the genius of the winds, boast that they are the true aborigines. According to Schuver, they resemble

Fig. 74. — Inhabitants of the Blue Nile.
Scale 1: 4,300,000.

the Negroes of the White Nile much more than the Gumus and Bertas; they have large eyes, which distinguishes them more especially from the Gumus, whose eyes are small, "like those of pigs."

The Sienetjos, who pass for the remnant of a people formerly in possession of the country, and were almost entirely exterminated by the Negroes, are probably akin to other Sienetjos who live farther east amongst the populations of Damot and Gojam. The Sienetjos are not blacks, having a yellow skin, perceptibly clearer than that of Europeans who are exposed to climatic influences. The face is nearly