CENTRAL AFRICAN GONG-LANGUAGES

OF SOME C E N T R A L A F R IC A N G O N G -LA N G U A G E S 29In cases such as those quoted above, where the signaisdo not seem to be based on the tonal patterns of a göngordrum-language and where they are relatively restrictedin number, it might be suggested that we have to dealwith signalling of the first type (a) quoted above; i.e.,the basis of communication is an arbitrary one, the beatson the instrument having no essential relationship withthe linguistic elements of the message transmitted. Butit is remarkable that sometimes definite linguisticelements are associated with the beating on the drums.Roscoe, for instance, gives language as the basis of signaisused among the Baganda and the Bakitara ;The rhythm of the drum was interpreted as beginning« enemiro » (be bewitched) and going on to say : « Nations,w hat to they want ? W e stand like men because the kingis here... »W h en a chief dies, his drum beats :Bekereza nkaba taliya basala ensale nkabe taliya (the sickman cries for all kinds of things and fetishes to preventdeath, but death says : It is useless, you must come)(R o sc o e, 80, p. 291).If the drum-signalling thus described is trulv of type (a)then the linguistic elements must be regarded as aids tomemory attached subsequently to signais arbitrarilydetermined. Against such an interprétation, however, isthe fact that in some tribes the number of signais seemsto be very large. The signais of the Ila-speaking peoplesof Northern Rhodesia, which Smith and Dale found« impossible to record » (85, p. 268) are described asco vering a large number of everyday tribal needs. Thiswould be difficult to understand unless the signaiscorresponded with some essential element of the languageused to describe the signais. This essential element maynot be tone but rhythm could be a determinative factor.Just as some drum- and gong-languages which are