THE KINGDOM OF ANKOLE IN UGANDA 145
favourite retainer. These men had sworn to defend the Mugabe until death and were picked from among other warrior bands for their courage. This band was constantly near the ekyikari and its members had their wives and such cattle as they needed with them. They remained until age made them unfit for military duty. The Mugabe's private band was used only as a last line of defence when an enemy force invaded Ankole. When danger threatened they would move the Mugafre's cattle and people to a safe part of the country, scattering his cattle in small herds and taking special care to hide the royal drums and beaded veil, Rutare.
The king's magicians had a kraal to themselves. Most of these magicians (abafumu), were Bairu and were forced to serve the Mugabe during his lifetime. Any omufumu who had won fame might be called upon by the Mugabe to serve him. Not only were all departments represented, as divining, sorcery, white magic, and the smelling out of bad medicine, but each department had its own specialists. There were diviners who foretold the future, using the entondo, a small insect, others who read the signs in the entrails of a white cow or sheep, others, again, who divined with cowrie shells. There were sorcerers who practised with their horns filled with secret medicines; others who used the bow. There were practitioners in white magic who were experts in purifying, in casting spells against evil influences,. or in making charms for use against disease and bad luck. Of particular importance was the omutsiriki (cattle magician). The Mugabe himself did not possess magical paraphernalia. Each magician procured his own medicines. In divining, however, it was sometimes necessary for the Mugabe to be present. While some of the Mugabe's magicians were busy from morning till night protecting the king's person from harm, it was during war-time that the majority were most busy.
IV. Tribute
The labour required for the upkeep of the royal establishment was considerable. Menial tasks such as wood-cutting, water-carrying, and butchering were performed by the abahuku. These men were slaves and had their ears cut off to prevent them from permanently escaping. They were said to be peasants who were taken for this purpose from the neighbouring kingdoms. They lived near the royal enclosure and worked under the supervision