CHAP. XIII - RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, HUNTING, COUNTING AND DIVISION OF TIME, MUSIC AND GAMES

Summary

Review of beliefs in gods. The Bahima are not a very religious people; the gods do not trouble them and they do not often trouble the gods except for special reasons. Still there are occasions when aid is sought from one or other of their gods through the medium of a priest, for example, in case of sickness in the family or among the cattle. The chief deity is named Lugaba. He dwells in the sky and is really the Creator. The world belongs to him, his smile brings life, and the result of his displeasure is sickness and death. As in Uganda so here in Ankole the Creator has no temple and no priest and therefore no worship; and the common people make no offerings to him. Still he is well known and acknowledged by all, he is their great benefactor from whom they receive all the good in life as a matter of course and without any thought of an offering in return; nor is prayer made to him.

The war-god. The war-god is named Zoba: he has both a temple and a priest who is also the medium of the god. Should an enemy surprise the people in any part of the country, the women run into hiding in the scrub, and from their hiding place call upon Zoba to help their husbands and give them victory.