The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1890-08-02
WATERY VILLAGES.
The Strange Homes of the
Bololo Tribes in Africa.
Building Houses on Piles in
SWampS to Avoid Enemies.

EIOh "a SOeiS'' p"ius VI view, TIE
richest affluent of the Congo. the great
East African river, is the Lulungu,
whose mouth is situated a few miles
above the Rulli. The Lulungu is
formed by the confluence OF two rivers,
the Malinga and Lopori, which, uniting
at the populous village Of Massaukuso,
henceforth form a stream mile in
width, and probably one hundred and
fifty miles in length, until its waters
ae swallowed up in those of the
mighty Congo. This lower stretch of
river is inhabited by Rankundu ivory
and slave traders; the upper reaches, as
far as the swamps arouni the head
waters of the Malinga and Lopori, by
the Balolo proper, and rude tribes Of
elephant hunters. who store their ivory
until the periodical visits of the down.
river traders, when they exchange it
for beads, cowr;es and brass ornaments.
These Bololo tribes are an oppressed
and prosecuted people.
Tlmld an inoifensive, they fall an
easy prey to the over whelming numbers
of the powerful inland tribes of the
Lufembe and Ngombe, who are contin-
ually making raids upon them, cap;ur-
ing them and selling them into slavery,
and eating those who are less suitable
for the slave market.
The Lulungu and its two great feed
ers particularly the Ma!inga flow
through a swampy country, the greater
part of the land during the rainy season
being under water.
So swampy Is it, that all the native
villages on the upper reaches of that
river are built on piles standing in
water from two to four feet in depth.
1t is a strange sight, when the water is
high, to see all these houses. dotted
about on the river, looking like float
ing boxes, and comical to observe
native fishing from his tiny verauda or
when he wishes to pay visit to
friend across the way. or journey to
another part of the village to see him
step into his canoe from off his door
step, and paddle about the streets of
swiftly running water.
Ivory is hidden for safety in the
water under their houses, or at some
point of the forest known only to the
owner. where the Ion, tree trunks
stand up out of the brown. dark-shad.
owed food of the swollen river, and,
should he wish to sell it, he must dive
down and fetch it up.
The effect seen from the river of ono
Of these villages is very striking. Large
trees are felled all about, so as to rem
der the progress of an approaching
canoe difficult. These wre. chei houses,
without walls, and with fire made on
flat lump of clay, or platform formed
by cross sticks. form indeed wretchcd
habitations for human beings. You
will see on some pro ointment position a
large war-drum. so that in case OF an
attack, or any danger arising. the sur
founding villages may be signalol, and
timely warning given.
The natives living in these watery
settlements say that inland they can
nnd strips and patches of dry land, but
mat ii they 1.-Two there the slave.raiders
ond out their whereabouts, and are con.
anuaily prosecuting them, SO that,
tnough it is inconvenient and wretched |
1Vns in houses on piles, they naturally
prefer it to the danger of slavery and
death. However, they are not free
from molestation even un Ter these cir.
eumstan ces as tho slavc-raiicrs from
the lower reaches of the river form
arse expeditions, sometimes of 200
"a ooo canoes, well-armed, and go up
and Kill, catch and take them into
slavery tn, T.y