Transcriber’s Notes
This is Volume I (of II) of this work, containing (after the front
matter) pages 11-768, chapters I-LXXV, and illustration numbers
1-211; Volume II contains (after the front matter) page numbers
769-1481, chapters LXXVI-CLXX, and illustration numbers 212-443. For
ease of reference, the Table of Contents, List of Illustrations and
Index have been included in both volumes.
Text between _underscores_ represents text printed in italics in the
source document. Small capitals have been replaced with ALL CAPITALS.
More information on the transcription and the changes made may be
found in the Transcriber’s Notes at the end of this text.
[Illustration: (See page ii.)]
THE
UNCIVILIZED
RACES OF MEN
IN
ALL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD;
BEING
_A COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT OF THEIR MANNERS AND CUSTOMS,
AND OF THEIR PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, MENTAL, MORAL AND
RELIGIOUS CHARACTERISTICS_.
BY
REV. J. G. WOOD, M.A., F.L.S.
AUTHOR OF “ILLUSTRATED NATURAL HISTORY OF ANIMALS,” “ANECDOTES OF
ANIMAL LIFE,” “HOMES WITHOUT HANDS,” “BIBLE ANIMALS,” “COMMON OBJECTS
OF THE COUNTRY AND SEASHORE,” ETC.
WITH NEW DESIGNS
BY ANGAS, DANBY, WOLF, ZWECKER, ETC., ETC.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. I.
HARTFORD:
THE J. B. BURR PUBLISHING CO.
1877.
PREFACE.
This work is simply, as the title-page states, an account of the
manners and customs of uncivilized races of men in all parts of the
world.
Many travellers have given accounts, scattered rather at random
through their books, of the habits and modes of life exhibited by the
various people among whom they have travelled. These notices, however,
are distributed through a vast number of books, many of them very
scarce, many very expensive, and most of them ill-arranged; and it has
therefore been my task to gather together in one work, and to present
to the reader in a tolerably systematic and intelligible form, the
varieties of character which develop themselves among races which have
not as yet lost their individuality by modern civilization. In this
task I have been greatly assisted by many travellers, who have taken a
kindly interest in the work, and have given me the invaluable help of
their practical experience.
The engravings with which the work is profusely illustrated have been
derived from many sources. For the most part the countenances of
the people have been drawn from photographs, and in many instances
whole groups taken by the photographer have been transferred to the
wood-block, the artist only making a few changes of attitude, so as to
avoid the unpleasant stiffness which characterizes photographic groups.
Many of the illustrations are taken from sketches made by travellers,
who have kindly allowed me to make use of them; and I must here express
my thanks to Mr. T. Baines, the accomplished artist and traveller, who
made many sketches expressly for the work, and placed at my disposal
the whole of his diaries and portfolios. I must also express my thanks
to Mr. J. B. Zwecker, who undertook the onerous task of interpreting
pictorially the various scenes of savage life which are described in
the work, and who brought to that task a hearty good-will and a wide
knowledge of the subject, without which the work would have lost much
of its spirit. The drawings of the weapons, implements, and utensils,
are all taken from actual specimens, most of which are in my own
collection, made, through a series of several years, for the express
purpose of illustrating this work.
That all uncivilized tribes should be mentioned, is necessarily
impossible, and I have been reluctantly forced to dismiss with a brief
notice, many interesting people, to whom I would gladly have given a
greater amount of space. Especially has this been the case with Africa,
in consequence of the extraordinary variety of the native customs which
prevail in that wonderful land. We have, for example, on one side of a
river, a people well clothed, well fed, well governed, and retaining
but few of the old savage customs. On the other side, we find people
without clothes, government, manners, or morality, and sunk as deeply
as man can be in all the squalid miseries of savage life. Besides, the
chief characteristic of uncivilized Africa is the continual change
to which it is subject. Some tribes are warlike and restless, always
working their way seaward from the interior, carrying their own customs
with them, forming settlements on their way, and invariably adding to
their own habits and superstitions those of the tribes among whom they
have settled. In process of time they become careless of the military
arts by which they gained possession of the country, and are in their
turn ousted by others, who bring fresh habits and modes of life with
them. It will be seen, therefore, how full of incident is life in
Africa, the great stronghold of barbarism, and how necessary it is to
devote to that one continent a considerable portion of the work.
AMERICAN PUBLISHERS’ PREFACE.
This work, which has been nearly three years going through the press in
London, is one of the most valuable contributions that have been made
to the literature of this generation. Rev. Dr. Wood, who ranks among
the most popular and foremost writers of Great Britain, conceiving the
idea of the work many years since, and commencing the collection of
such articles, utensils, weapons, portraits, etc., as would illustrate
the life and customs of the uncivilized races, was, undoubtedly, the
best qualified of all living writers for such an undertaking. The work
is so costly by reason of its hundreds of superior engravings, that few
only will, or can avail themselves of the imported edition. Yet it is
so replete with healthful information, so fascinating by its variety
of incident, portraiture and manners, so worthy of a place in every
household library, that we have reprinted it in order that it may be
accessible to the multitude of readers in this country.
With the exception of a few paragraphs, not deemed essential by the
American editor, and not making, in the aggregate, over four pages,
the text of the two royal octavo volumes of nearly sixteen hundred
pages, is given UNABRIDGED. The errors, incident to a first edition,
have been corrected. By adopting a slightly smaller, yet very handsome
and legible type, the two volumes are included in one. The beauty and
value of the work are also greatly enhanced by grouping the engravings
and uniting them, by cross references, with the letter-press they
illustrate.
In one other and very essential respect is this superior to the English
edition. Dr. Wood has given too brief and imperfect an account of
the character, customs and life of the North American Indians, and
the savage tribes of the Arctic regions. As the work was issued in
monthly parts of a stipulated number, he may have found his space
limited, and accordingly omitted a chapter respecting the Indians,
that he had promised upon a preceding page. This deficiency has been
supplied by the American editor, making the account of the Red Men more
comprehensive, and adding some fine engravings to illustrate their
appearance and social life. Having treated of the Ahts of Vancouver’s
Island, the author crosses Behring Strait and altogether omits the
interesting races of Siberia, passing at once from America to Southern
Asia. To supply this chasm and make the work a complete “Tour round
the World,” a thorough survey of the races “in all countries” which
represent savage life, we have added an account of the Malemutes,
Ingeletes and Co-Yukons of Alaska. An interesting chapter respecting
the Tungusi, Jakuts, Ostiaks, and Samoiedes of Siberia, compiled from
Dr. Hartwig’s “Polar World,” is also given. The usefulness and value of
such a work as this are greatly enhanced by a minute and comprehensive
index. In this respect, the English edition is very deficient,--its
index occupying only a page. We have appended to the work one more than
ten times as large, furnishing to the reader and student an invaluable
help. Thus enlarged by letter-press and illustrations, this work is a
complete and invaluable _resumé_ of the manners, customs, and life of
the UNCIVILIZED RACES OF THE WORLD.
EXPLANATION OF THE FRONTISPIECE.
The Frontispiece gives a pictorial representation of African
mankind. Superstition reigning supreme, the most prominent figure is
the fetish priest, with his idols at his feet, and holding up for
adoration the sacred serpent. War is illustrated by the Kaffir chief
in the foreground, the Bosjesman with his bow and poisoned arrows,
and the Abyssinian chief behind him. The gluttony of the Negro race
is exemplified by the sensual faces of the squatting men with their
jars of porridge and fruit. The grace and beauty of the young female
is shown by the Nubian girl and Shooa woman behind the Kaffir; while
the hideousness of the old women is exemplified by the Negro woman
above with her fetish. Slavery is illustrated by the slave caravan in
the middle distance, and the pyramids speak of the interest attached
to Africa by hundreds of centuries.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE.
1. Pictorial representation of African races Frontispiece.
2. Kaffir from childhood to age 13
3. Old councillor and wives 13
4. Kaffir cradle 18
5. Young Kaffir armed 21
6. Kaffir postman 21
7. Unmarried Kaffir girls 25
8. Old Kaffir women 25
9. Kaffir ornaments--necklaces, belt, etc. 33
10. Kaffir needles and sheaths 33
11. Articles of costume 33
12. Dolls representing the Kaffir dress 33
13. Bracelets made of the hoof of the bluebok 39
14. Apron of chief’s wife 39
15. Ivory armlets 39
16. Necklaces--beads and teeth 39
17. Young Kaffir in full dress 43
18. Girl in dancing dress 43
19. Kaffir ornaments 49
20. Dress and ornaments 49
21. The Kaffirs at home 57
22. Interior of a Kaffir hut 63
23. A Kaffir kraal 63
24. A Kaffir milking bowl 67
25. A Kaffir beer bowl 67
26. A Kaffir beer strainer 67
27. A Kaffir water pipe 67
28. Woman’s basket 67
29. Kaffir cattle--training the horns 73
30. Return of a Kaffir war party 73
31. Procession of the bride 83
32. Kaffir passing his mother-in-law 88
33. Bridegroom on approval 97
34. Kaffir at his forge 97
35. Spoons for eating porridge 103
36. Group of assagais 103
37. Kaffir warriors skirmishing 111
38. Muscular advocacy 111
39. Goza, the Kaffir chief, in ordinary undress 117
40. Goza in full war dress, with his councillors 117
41. Panda’s review 121
42. Hunting scene in Kaffirland 121
43. Cooking elephant’s foot 133
44. A Kaffir dinner party 145
45. Soldiers lapping water 145
46. A Kaffir harp 155
47. Exterior of a Kaffir hut 155
48. Spoon, ladle, skimmers 155
49. A Kaffir water pipe 155
50. A Kaffir fowl house 155
51. Necklace made of human finger bones 167
52. A remarkable gourd snuff-box 167
53. Poor man’s pipe 167
54. Kaffir gentlemen smoking 167
55. The prophet’s school 174
56. The prophet’s return 174
57. Old Kaffir prophets 177
58. The Kaffir prophetess at work 188
59. Unfavorable prophecy 188
60. Preserved head 203
61. Head of Mundurucú chief 203
62. Burial of King Tchaka’s mother 203
63. Dingan, the Kaffir monarch, at home 209
64. Kaffir women quarrelling 209
65. Hottentot girl 219
66. Hottentot woman 219
67. Hottentot young man 223
68. Hottentot in full dress 223
69. Hottentot kraal 229
70. Card playing by Hottentots 237
71. Bosjesman shooting cattle 237
72. Grapple plant 247
73. Bosjesman woman and child 247
74. Hottentots asleep 247
75. Bosjesman quiver 247
76. Frontlet of Hottentot girl 247
77. Poison grub 259
78. Portrait of Koranna chief 271
79. Namaquas shooting at the storm 271
80. Knife and assagai heads 281
81. Bechuana knives 281
82. A Bechuana apron 281
83. Ornament made of monkeys’ teeth 281
84. Bechuana parliament 287
85. Female architects among the Bechuanas 287
86. Magic dice of the Bechuanas 292
87. Spartan practices among the Bechuanas 294
88. The girl’s ordeal among the Bechuanas 294
89. Plan of Bechuana house 299
90. Bechuana funeral 302
91. Grave and monument of Damara chief 302
92. Damara warrior and wife 308
93. Damara girl resting 308
94. Portrait of Ovambo girl 317
95. Ovambo women pounding corn 317
96. Ovambo houses 329
97. Makololo house building 329
98. Children’s games among the Makololo 333
99. M’Bopo, a Makololo chief, at home 333
100. Spearing the hippopotamus 343
101. The final attack 343
102. Boating scene on the Bo-tlet-le River 351
103. Batoka salutation 351
104. Batoka men 357
105. Pelele, or lip ring, of the Manganjas 357
106. Hippopotamus trap 363
107. Axes of the Banyai 363
108. The marimba, or African piano 371
109. Singular headdress of the Balonda women 371
110. Wagogo greediness 387
111. Architecture of the Weezee 387
112. A husband’s welcome among the Weezee 391
113. Sultan Ukulima drinking pombé 391
114. Harvest scene among the Wanyamuezi 397
115. Salutation by the Watusi 397
116. Rumanika’s private band 404
117. Arrest of the queen 412
118. Reception of a visitor by the Waganda 417
119. The magician of Unyoro at work 417
120. Wanyoro culprit in the shoe 423
121. Group of Gani and Madi 431
122. Removal of a village by Madi 431
123. Group of the Kytch tribe 437
124. Neam-Nam fighting 437
125. Wooden chiefs of the Dôr 449
126. Scalp-locks of the Djibbas 449
127. Bracelets of the Djibbas 449
128. Ornaments of the Djour 449
129. Women’s knives 449
130. A Nuehr helmet 449
131. The Latooka victory 457
132. Gorilla hunting by the Fans 457
133. A Bari homestead 465
134. Funeral dance of the Latookas 465
135. The ceremony of M’paza 478
136. Obongo market 478
137. The giant dance of the Aponos 486
138. Fishing scene among the Bakalai 486
139. Ashira farewell 499
140. Olenda’s salutation to an Ishogo chief 499
141. A Camma dance 508
142. Quengueza’s (chief of the Camma) walk 508
143. The Camma fetish man ejecting a demon 517
144. Olanga drinking mboundou 517
145. Fate of the Shekiani wizard 526
146. The Mpongwé coronation 526
147. Attack on a Mpongwé village 537
148. Bargaining for a wife by the Fanti 537
149. The primeval child in Dahome 552
150. Fetishes, male and female, of the Krumen 552
151. Dahoman ivory trumpets 558
152. Dahoman war drum 558
153. War knives of the Fanti 558
154. Fetish trumpet and drum 558
155. Ashanti caboceer and soldiers 564
156. Punishment of a snake killer 564
157. “The bell comes” 569
158. Dahoman amazons 569
159. Amazon review 576
160. The Dahoman king’s dance 576
161. The basket sacrifice in Dahome 583
162. Head worship in Dahome 595
163. The attack on Abeokuta 595
164. The Alaké’s (king of the Egbas) court 605
165. Mumbo Jumbo 605
166. A Bubé marriage 612
167. Kanemboo man and woman 612
168. Washing day in Abyssinia 617
169. A Congo coronation 617
170. Ju-ju execution 619
171. Shooa women 631
172. Tuaricks and Tibboos 631
173. Begharmi lancers 638
174. Musgu chief 638
175. Dinner party in Abyssinia 643
176. Abyssinian heads 643
177. King Theodore and the lions 652
178. Pleaders in the courts 652
179. A battle between Abyssinians and Gallas 662
180. Interior of an Abyssinian house 662
181. Buffalo dance in Abyssinia 670
182. Bedouin camp 670
183. Hunting the hippopotamus 679
184. Travellers and the mirage 679
185. Travelling in Madagascar 692
186. Australian man and woman 698
187. Women and old man of Lower Murray 698
188. Hunter and his day’s provision 707
189. The sea-grass cloak 707
190. Bee hunting 716
191. Australian cooking a snake 716
192. Australian tomahawks 722
193. Australian clubs 722
194. Australian saw 722
195. Tattooing chisels 722
196. Man of Torres Strait 722
197. Basket--South Australia 722
198. Heads of Australian spears 731
199. Throw-sticks of the Australians 731
200. Boomerangs of the Australians 731
201. Spearing the kangaroo 739
202. Catching the cormorant 739
203. Australian shields 742
204. The kuri dance 749
205. Palti dance, or corrobboree 749
206. An Australian feast 759
207. Australian mothers 759
208. Mintalta, a Nauo man 765
209. Young man and boy of South Australia 765
210. Hut for cure of disease 765
211. Tomb of skulls 765
212. Tree tomb of Australia 775
213. Smoking bodies of slain warriors 775
214. Carved feather box 775
215. Australian widows and their caps 781
216. Cave with native drawings 781
217. Winter huts in Australia 787
218. A summer encampment 787
219. New Zealander from childhood to age 794
220. Woman and boy of New Zealand 803
221. A tattooed chief and his wife 803
222. Maori women making mats 809
223. The Tangi 809
224. Parátene Maioha in his state war cloak 820
225. The chiefs daughter 820
226. Hongi-hongi, chief of Waipa 820
227. Maories preparing for a feast 831
228. Maori chiefs’ storehouses 831
229. Cannibal cookhouse 835
230. Maori pah 835
231. Green jade ornaments 841
232. Maori weapons 841
233. Wooden and bone merais 841
234. Maori war dance 847
235. Te Ohu, a native priest 860
236. A tiki at Raroera pah 860
237. Tiki from Whakapokoko 860
238. Mourning over a dead chief 872
239. Tomb of E’ Toki 872
240. Rangihaeta’s war house 877
241. Interior of a pah or village 877
242. Maori paddles 881
243. Green jade adze and chisel 881
244. Common stone adze 881
245. A Maori toko-toko 881
246. New Caledonians defending their coast 893
247. Andamaners cooking a pig 893
248. A scene in the Nicobar Islands 903
249. The Outanatas and their weapons 903
250. The monkey men of Dourga Strait 909
251. Canoes of New Guinea 909
252. Huts of New Guinea 916
253. Dance by torchlight in New Guinea 916
254. The ambassador’s message 924
255. The canoe in a breeze 924
256. Presentation of the canoe 937
257. A Fijian feast 943
258. The fate of the boaster 943
259. Fijian idol 949
260. The orator’s flapper 949
261. Fijian spear 949
262. Fijian clubs 949
263. A Fijian wedding 957
264. House thatching by Fijians 957
265. A Buré, or temple, in Fiji 963
266. View in Makira harbor 963
267. Man and woman of Vaté 973
268. Woman and child of Vanikoro 973
269. Daughter of Tongan chief 973
270. Burial of a living king 980
271. Interior of a Tongan house 980
272. The kava party in Tonga 988
273. Tongan plantation 991
274. Ceremony of inachi 991
275. The tow-tow 999
276. Consulting a priest 999
277. Tattooing day in Samoa 1012
278. Cloth making by Samoan women 1012
279. Samoan club 1018
280. Armor of Samoan warrior 1018
281. Beautiful paddle of Hervey Islanders 1018
282. Ornamented adze magnified 1018
283. Spear of Hervey Islanders 1018
284. Shark tooth gauntlets 1025
285. Samoan warriors exchanging defiance 1027
286. Pigeon catching by Samoans 1027
287. Battle scene in Hervey Islands 1035
288. Village in Kingsmill Islands 1035
289. Shark tooth spear 1041
290. Shark’s jaw 1041
291. Swords of Kingsmill Islanders 1041
292. Tattooed chiefs of Marquesas 1046
293. Marquesan chief’s hand 1046
294. Neck ornament 1046
295. Marquesan chief in war dress 1046
296. The war dance of the Niuans 1054
297. Tahitans presenting the cloth 1054
298. Dressing the idols by Society Islanders 1067
299. The human sacrifice by Tahitans 1077
300. Corpse and chief mourner 1077
301. Tane, the Tahitan god, returning home 1084
302. Women and pet pig of Sandwich Islands 1084
303. Kamehameha’s exploit with spears 1089
304. Masked rowers 1089
305. Surf swimming by Sandwich Islanders 1093
306. Helmet of Sandwich Islanders 1097
307. Feather idol of Sandwich Islanders 1097
308. Wooden idol of Sandwich Islanders 1097
309. Romanzoff Islanders, man and woman 1101
310. Dyak warrior and dusum 1101
311. Investiture of the rupack 1105
312. Warrior’s dance among Pelew Islanders 1105
313. Illinoan pirate and Saghai Dyak 1113
314. Dyak women 1113
315. Parang-latok of the Dyaks 1122
316. Sumpitans of the Dyaks 1122
317. Parang-ihlang of the Dyaks 1122
318. The kris, or dagger, of the Dyaks 1129
319. Shields of Dyak soldiers 1129
320. A parang with charms 1129
321. A Dyak spear 1129
322. Canoe fight of the Dyaks 1139
323. A Dyak wedding 1139
324. A Dyak feast 1147
325. A Bornean adze axe 1152
326. A Dyak village 1153
327. A Dyak house 1153
328. Fuegian man and woman 1163
329. Patagonian man and woman 1163
330. A Fuegian settlement 1169
331. Fuegians shifting quarters 1169
332. Araucanian stirrups and spur 1175
333. Araucanian lassos 1175
334. Patagonian bolas 1175
335. Spanish bit and Patagonian fittings 1175
336. Patagonians hunting game 1180
337. Patagonian village 1187
338. Patagonian burial ground 1187
339. A Mapuché family 1201
340. Araucanian marriage 1201
341. Mapuché medicine 1207
342. Mapuché funeral 1207
343. The macana club 1212
344. Guianan arrows and tube 1214
345. Gran Chaco Indians on the move 1218
346. The ordeal of the “gloves” 1218
347. Guianan blow guns 1225
348. Guianan blow-gun arrow 1225
349. Guianan winged arrows 1225
350. Guianan cotton basket 1225
351. Guianan quiver 1225
352. Guianan arrows rolled around stick 1225
353. Guianan arrows strung 1225
354. Feathered arrows of the Macoushies 1231
355. Cassava dish of the Macoushies 1231
356. Guianan quake 1231
357. Arrow heads of the Macoushies 1231
358. Guianan turtle arrow 1231
359. Guianan quiver for arrow heads 1231
360. Feather apron of the Mundurucús 1231
361. Head-dresses of the Macoushies 1238
362. Guianan clubs 1238
363. Guianan cradle 1238
364. A Warau house 1244
365. Lake dwellers of the Orinoco 1244
366. Guianan tipiti and bowl 1249
367. Guianan twin bottles 1249
368. Feather apron of the Caribs 1249
369. Bead apron of the Guianans 1249
370. The spathe of the Waraus 1249
371. The Maquarri dance 1260
372. Shield wrestling of the Waraus 1260
373. Jaguar bone flute of the Caribs 1265
374. Rattle of the Guianans 1265
375. Mexican stirrups 1265
376. Iron and stone tomahawks 1265
377. Indian shield and clubs 1265
378. Mandan chief Mah-to-toh-pa and wife 1277
379. A Crow chief 1284
380. American Indians scalping 1284
381. Flint-headed arrow 1290
382. Camanchees riding 1291
383. “Smoking” horses 1291
384. Snow shoe 1295
385. Bison hunting scene 1299
386. Buffalo dance 1299
387. The Mandan ordeal 1305
388. The last race 1305
389. The medicine man at work 1311
390. The ball play of the Choctaws 1311
391. Indian pipes 1315
392. Ee-e-chin-che-a in war costume 1318
393. Grandson of a Blackfoot chief 1318
394. Pshan-shaw, a girl of the Riccarees 1318
395. Flat-head woman and child 1319
396. Indian canoe 1322
397. Snow shoe dance 1322
398. Dance to the medicine of the brave 1322
399. The canoe race 1327
400. Esquimaux dwellings 1327
401. Esquimaux harpoon head 1337
402. Burial of Blackbird, an Omaha chief 1341
403. Esquimaux spearing the walrus 1341
404. The kajak and its management 1347
405. Esquimaux sledge driving 1347
406. Wrist-guard of the Esquimaux 1353
407. Esquimaux fish-hooks 1353
408. Feathered arrows of Aht tribe 1356
409. Ingenious fish-hook of the Ahts 1357
410. Remarkable carved pipes of the Ahts 1357
411. Bow of the Ahts of Vancouver’s Island 1357
412. Beaver mask of the Aht tribe 1357
413. Singular head-dress of the Aht chiefs 1357
414. Decorated paddles of the Ahts 1357
415. Canoe of the Ahts 1361
416. Aht dance 1367
417. Initiation of a dog eater 1367
418. A Sowrah marriage 1387
419. A Meriah sacrifice 1387
420. Bows and quiver of Hindoos 1394
421. Ingenious ruse of Bheel robbers 1397
422. A Ghoorka attacked by a tiger 1397
423. A Ghoorka necklace 1403
424. A kookery of the Ghoorka tribe 1403
425. The chakra or quoit weapon 1403
426. Indian arms and armor 1403
427. Suit of armor inlaid with gold 1406
428. Chinese repeating crossbow 1425
429. Mutual assistance 1427
430. Chinese woman’s foot and shoe 1428
431. Mandarin and wife 1437
432. Various modes of torture 1437
433. Mouth organ 1445
434. Specimens of Chinese art 1446
435. Decapitation of Chinese criminal 1451
436. The street ballad-singer 1451
437. Japanese lady in a storm 1454
438. Japanese lady on horseback 1455
439. Capture of the truant husbands 1464
440. Candlestick and censers 1465
441. Suit of Japanese armor 1469
442. King S. S. P. M. Mongkut of Siam 1469
443. Portrait of celebrated Siamese actress 1469
CONTENTS
OF
VOLUME I.
Chap. Page.
KAFFIRS OF SOUTH AFRICA.
I. INTELLECTUAL CHARACTER 11
II. COURSE OF LIFE 17
III. COURSE OF LIFE--_Concluded_ 20
IV. MASCULINE DRESS AND ORNAMENTS 28
V. MASCULINE DRESS AND ORNAMENTS--_Concluded_ 36
VI. FEMININE DRESS AND ORNAMENTS 48
VII. ARCHITECTURE 56
VIII. CATTLE KEEPING 66
IX. MARRIAGE 75
X. MARRIAGE--_Concluded_ 82
XI. WAR--OFFENSIVE WEAPONS 92
XII. WAR--DEFENSIVE WEAPONS 108
XIII. HUNTING 126
XIV. AGRICULTURE 138
XV. FOOD 143
XVI. SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS 159
XVII. RELIGION AND SUPERSTITION 169
XVIII. RELIGION AND SUPERSTITION--_Continued_ 180
XIX. SUPERSTITION--_Concluded_ 192
XX. FUNERAL RITES 200
XXI. DOMESTIC LIFE 206
HOTTENTOTS.
XXII. THE HOTTENTOT RACES 217
XXIII. MARRIAGE, LANGUAGE, AMUSEMENTS 232
THE BOSJESMAN, OR BUSHMAN.
XXIV. APPEARANCE--SOCIAL LIFE 242
XXV. ARCHITECTURE--WEAPONS 251
XXVI. AMUSEMENTS 262
VARIOUS AFRICAN RACES.
XXVII. KORANNAS AND NAMAQUAS 269
XXVIII. THE BECHUANAS 280
XXIX. THE BECHUANAS--_Concluded_ 291
XXX. THE DAMARA TRIBE 304
XXXI. THE OVAMBO, OR OVAMPO 315
XXXII. THE MAKOLOLO TRIBE 324
XXXIII. THE BAYEYE AND MAKOBA 337
XXXIV. THE BATOKA AND MANGANJA 348
XXXV. THE BANYAI AND BADEMA 361
XXXVI. THE BALONDO, OR BALONDA, AND ANGOLESE 369
XXXVII. WAGOGO AND WANYAMUEZI 384
XXXVIII. KARAGUE 399
XXXIX. THE WATUSI AND WAGANDA 408
XL. THE WANYORO 422
XLI. GANI, MADI, OBBO, AND KYTCH 429
XLII. THE NEAM-NAM, DÔR, AND DJOUR TRIBES 440
XLIII. THE LATOOKA TRIBE 453
XLIV. THE SHIR, BARI, DJIBBA, NUEHR, DINKA, AND SHILLOOK
TRIBES 461
XLV. THE ISHOGO, ASHANGO, AND OBONGO TRIBES 475
XLVI. THE APONO AND APINGI 484
XLVII. THE BAKALAI 491
XLVIII. THE ASHIRA 496
XLIX. THE CAMMA OR COMMI 504
L. THE SHEKIANI AND MPONGWÉ 521
LI. THE FANS 529
LII. THE FANS--_Concluded_ 535
LIII. THE KRUMEN AND FANTI 544
LIV. THE ASHANTI 554
LV. DAHOME 561
LVI. DAHOME--_Continued_ 573
LVII. DAHOME--_Concluded_ 581
LVIII. THE EGBAS 590
LIX. BONNY 600
LX. THE MAN-DINGOES 607
LXI. THE BUBES AND CONGOESE 610
LXII. BORNU 620
LXIII. THE SHOOAS, TIBBOOS, TUARICKS, BEGHARMIS, AND MUSGUESE 628
LXIV. ABYSSINIANS 641
LXV. ABYSSINIANS--_Continued_ 649
LXVI. ABYSSINIANS--_Concluded_ 658
LXVII. NUBIANS AND HAMRAN ARABS 673
LXVIII. BEDOUINS, HASSANIYEHS, AND MALAGASY 681
AUSTRALIA.
LXIX. APPEARANCE AND CHARACTER OF NATIVES 694
LXX. DRESS--FOOD 703
LXXI. WEAPONS 719
LXXII. WEAPONS--_Concluded_ 727
LXXIII. WAR--AMUSEMENTS 744
LXXIV. DOMESTIC LIFE 755
LXXV. FROM CHILDHOOD TO MANHOOD 761
CONTENTS
OF
VOLUME II.
Chap. Page.
LXXVI. MEDICINE--SURGERY--DISPOSAL OF DEAD 769
LXXVII. DWELLINGS--CANOES 784
NEW ZEALAND.
LXXVIII. GENERAL REMARKS 792
LXXIX. DRESS 800
LXXX. DRESS--_Concluded_ 807
LXXXI. DOMESTIC LIFE 816
LXXXII. FOOD AND COOKERY 826
LXXXIII. WAR 838
LXXXIV. CANOES 852
LXXXV. RELIGION 856
LXXXVI. THE TAPU 863
LXXXVII. FUNERAL CEREMONIES--ARCHITECTURE 869
NEW CALEDONIA.
LXXXVIII. APPEARANCE--DRESS--WARFARE 883
ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS.
LXXXIX. ORIGIN OF NATIVES--APPEARANCE--CHARACTER--EDUCATION 888
NEW GUINEA.
XC. PAPUANS AND OUTANATAS 898
XCI. THE ALFOËRS OR HARAFORAS 905
PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
XCII. THE AJITAS OR AHITAS 919
FIJI.
XCIII. APPEARANCE--DRESS 922
XCIV. MANUFACTURES 929
XCV. GOVERNMENT--SOCIAL LIFE 934
XCVI. WAR--AMUSEMENTS 948
XCVII. RELIGION--FUNERAL RITES 960
SOLOMON ISLANDS AND NEW HEBRIDES.
XCVIII. CHARACTER--DRESS--CUSTOMS 968
TONGA.
XCIX. GOVERNMENT--GRADATIONS OF RANK 976
C. WAR AND CEREMONIES 984
CI. SICKNESS--BURIAL--GAMES 997
SAMOA, OR NAVIGATOR’S ISLAND.
CII. APPEARANCE--CHARACTER--DRESS 1008
CIII. WAR 1016
CIV. AMUSEMENTS--MARRIAGE--ARCHITECTURE 1028
HERVEY AND KINGSMILL ISLANDS.
CV. APPEARANCE--WEAPONS--GOVERNMENT 1032
MARQUESAS ISLANDS.
CVI. DRESS--AMUSEMENTS--WAR--BURIAL 1044
NIUE, OR SAVAGE ISLANDS.
CVII. ORIGIN--COSTUME--LAWS--BURIAL 1052
SOCIETY ISLANDS.
CVIII. APPEARANCE--DRESS--SOCIAL CUSTOMS 1057
CIX. RELIGION 1064
CX. HISTORY--WAR--FUNERALS--LEGENDS 1072
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
CXI. CLIMATE--DRESS--ORNAMENTS--WOMEN 1081
CXII. WAR--SPORT--RELIGION 1088
CAROLINE ARCHIPELAGO.
CXIII. DRESS--ARCHITECTURE--AMUSEMENTS--WAR 1100
BORNEO.
CXIV. THE DYAKS, APPEARANCE AND DRESS 1110
CXV. WAR 1119
CXVI. WAR--_Concluded_ 1128
CXVII. SOCIAL LIFE 1137
CXVIII. ARCHITECTURE, MANUFACTURES 1149
CXIX. RELIGION--OMENS--FUNERALS 1157
TIERRA DEL FUEGO.
CXX. APPEARANCE--ARCHITECTURE--MANUFACTURES 1161
PATAGONIANS.
CXXI. APPEARANCE--WEAPONS--HORSEMANSHIP 1172
CXXII. DOMESTIC LIFE 1183
ARAUCANIANS.
CXXIII. DRESS--ETIQUETTE--GOVERNMENT 1190
CXXIV. DOMESTIC LIFE 1196
CXXV. GAMES--SOCIAL CUSTOMS 1204
THE GRAN CHACO.
CXXVI. APPEARANCE--WEAPONS--CHARACTER 1211
THE MUNDURUCÚS.
CXXVII. MANUFACTURES--SOCIAL CUSTOMS 1215
THE TRIBES OF GUIANA.
CXXVIII. WEAPONS 1221
CXXIX. WEAPONS--_Concluded_ 1228
CXXX. WAR--SUPERSTITION 1239
CXXXI. ARCHITECTURE--SOCIAL CUSTOMS 1245
CXXXII. DRESS--AMUSEMENTS 1255
CXXXIII. RELIGION--BURIAL 1263
MEXICO.
CXXXIV. HISTORY--RELIGION--ART 1271
NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS.
CXXXV. GOVERNMENT--CUSTOMS 1273
CXXXVI. WAR 1281
CXXXVII. HUNTING--AMUSEMENTS 1293
CXXXVIII. RELIGION--SUPERSTITION 1301
CXXXIX. SOCIAL LIFE 1316
ESQUIMAUX.
CXL. APPEARANCE--DRESS--MANNERS 1333
CXLI. HUNTING--RELIGION--BURIAL 1338
VANCOUVER’S ISLAND.
CXLII. THE AHTS, AND NEIGHBORING TRIBES 1354
CXLIII. CANOES--FEASTS--DANCES 1362
CXLIV. ARCHITECTURE--RELIGION--DISPOSAL OF DEAD 1369
ALASKA.
CXLV. MALEMUTES--INGELETES--CO-YUKONS 1374
SIBERIA.
CXLVI. THE TCHUKTCHI--JAKUTS--TUNGUSI 1377
CXLVII. THE SAMOÏEDES--OSTIAKS 1381
INDIA.
CXLVIII. THE SOWRAHS AND KHONDS 1385
CXLIX. WEAPONS 1395
CL. SACRIFICIAL RELIGION 1407
CLI. THE INDIANS, WITH RELATION TO ANIMALS 1416
TARTARY.
CLII. THE MANTCHU TARTARS 1422
CHINA.
CLIII. APPEARANCE--DRESS--FOOD 1426
CLIV. WARFARE 1433
CLV. SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS 1441
JAPAN.
CLVI. DRESS--ART--AMUSEMENTS 1449
CLVII. MISCELLANEOUS CUSTOMS 1458
SIAM.
CLVIII. GOVERNMENT--DRESS--RELIGION 1467
ANCIENT EUROPE.
CLIX. THE SWISS LAKE-DWELLERS 1473
CENTRAL AFRICA.
CLX. THE MAKONDÉ 1475
CLXI. THE WAIYAU 1478
CLXII. THE BABISA AND BABEMBA 1482
CLXIII. THE MANYUEMA 1487
CLXIV. THE MANYUEMA--_Concluded_ 1492
CLXV. UNYAMWEZI 1496
CLXVI. UVINZA AND UHHA 1500
CLXVII. THE MONBUTTOO 1503
CLXVIII. THE PYGMIES 1508
CLXIX. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF AFRICAN TRIBES 1511
CLXX. THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE 1515
CENTRAL ASIA.
CLXXI. THE KAKHYENS 1520
CHAPTER I.
THE KAFFIR, OR ZINGIAN TRIBES, AND THEIR PHYSICAL PECULIARITIES --
ORIGIN OF THE NAME -- THEORIES AS TO THEIR PRESENCE IN SOUTHERN
AFRICA -- THE CHIEF TRIBES AND THEIR LOCALITIES -- THE ZULUS AND
THEIR APPEARANCE -- THEIR COMPLEXION AND IDEAS OF BEAUTY -- POINTS OF
SIMILITUDE AND CONTRAST BETWEEN THE KAFFIR AND THE NEGRO -- MENTAL
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE KAFFIR -- HIS WANT OF CARE FOR THE FUTURE, AND
REASONS FOR IT -- CONTROVERSIAL POWERS OF THE KAFFIR -- THE SOCRATIC
MODE OF ARGUMENT -- THE HORNS OF A DILEMMA -- LOVE OF A KAFFIR FOR
ARGUMENT -- HIS MENTAL TRAINING AND ITS CONSEQUENCES -- PARTHIAN
MODE OF ARGUING -- PLACABLE NATURE OF THE KAFFIR -- HIS SENSE OF
SELF-RESPECT -- FONDNESS FOR A PRACTICAL JOKE -- THE WOMAN AND THE
MELON -- HOSPITALITY OF THE KAFFIRS -- THEIR DOMESTICATED NATURE AND
FONDNESS FOR CHILDREN -- THEIR HATRED OF SOLITUDE.
Over the whole of the Southern portion of the great Continent of
Africa is spread a remarkable and interesting race of mankind. Though
divided into numerous tribes, and differing in appearance, manners, and
customs, they are evidently cast in the same mould, and belong to the
same group of the human race. They are dark, but not so black as the
true negro of the West. Their hair is crisp, short, and curled, but not
so woolly as that of the negro; their lips, though large when compared
with those of Europeans, are small when compared to those of the negro.
The form is finely modelled, the stature tall, the limbs straight, the
forehead high, the expression intelligent; and, altogether, this group
of mankind affords as fine examples of the human form as can be found
anywhere on the earth.
To give a name to this large group is not very easy. Popularly, the
tribes which compose it are known as Kaffirs; but that term has now
been restricted to the tribes on the south-east of the continent,
between the sea and the range of the Draakensberg Mountains.
Moreover, the name Kaffir is a very inappropriate one, being simply
the term which the Moslem races apply to all who do not believe with
themselves, and by which they designate black and white men alike. Some
ethnologists have designated them by the general name of Chuanas, the
word being the root of the well-known Bechuana, Sechuana, and similar
names; while others have preferred the word Bantu, and others Zingian,
which last word is perhaps the best.
Whatever may be the title, it is evident that they are not aborigines,
but that they have descended upon Southern Africa from some other
locality--probably from more northern parts of the same continent. Some
writers claim for the Kaffir or Zingian tribes an Asiatic origin, and
have a theory that in the course of their migration they mixed with the
negroes, and so became possessed of the frizzled hair, the thick lips,
the dark skin, and other peculiarities of the negro race.
Who might have been the true aborigines of Southern Africa cannot
be definitely stated, inasmuch as even within very recent times
great changes have taken place. At the present time South Africa is
practically European, the white man, whether Dutch or English, having
dispossessed the owners of the soil, and either settled upon the land
or reduced the dark-skinned inhabitants to the rank of mere dependants.
Those whom they displaced were themselves interlopers, having overcome
and ejected the Hottentot tribes, who in their turn seem but to have
suffered the same fate which in the time of their greatness they had
brought upon others.
At the present day the great Zingian group affords the best type of the
inhabitants of Southern Africa, and we will therefore begin with the
Kaffir tribes.
* * * * *
If the reader will refer to a map of Africa, he will see that upon the
south-east coast a long range of mountains runs nearly parallel with
the sea-line, and extends from lat. 27° to 33°. It is the line of the
Draakensberg Mountains, and along the strip of land which intervenes
between these mountains and the sea are found the genuine Kaffir
tribes. There are other tribes belonging to the same group of mankind
which are found on the western side of the Draakensberg, and are spread
over the entire country, from Delagoa Bay on the east to the Orange
River on the west. These tribes are familiar to readers of African
travel under the names of Bechuanas, Bayeye, Namaqua, Ovampo, &c. But,
by common consent, the name of Kaffir is now restricted to those tribes
which inhabit the strip of country above mentioned.
Formerly, a considerable number of tribes inhabited this district, and
were sufficiently distinct to be almost reckoned as different nations.
Now, however, these tribes are practically reduced to five; namely, the
Amatonga on the north, followed southward by the Amaswazi, the Amazulu,
the Amaponda, and the Amakosa. Here it must be remarked that the prefix
of “Ama,” attached to all the words, is one of the forms by which the
plural of certain names is designated. Thus, we might speak of a single
Tonga, Swazi, Zulu, or Ponda Kaffir; but if we wish to speak of more
than one, we form the plural by prefixing “Ama” to the word.
The other tribes, although they for the most part still exist and
retain the ancient names, are practically merged into those whose names
have been mentioned.
Of all the true Kaffir tribes, the Zulu is the chief type, and that
tribe will be first described. Although spread over a considerable
range of country, the Zulu tribe has its headquarters rather to
the north of Natal, and there may be found the best specimens of
this splendid race of men. Belonging, as do the Zulu tribes, to the
dark-skinned portion of mankind, their skin does not possess that dead,
jetty black which is characteristic of the Western negro. It is a more
transparent skin, the layer of coloring matter does not seem to be so
thick, and the ruddy hue of the blood is perceptible through the black.
It is held by the Kaffirs to be the perfection of human coloring; and a
Zulu, if asked what he considers to be the finest complexion, will say
that it is, _like his own_, black, with a little red.
Some dark-skinned nations approve of a fair complexion, and in some
parts of the world the chiefs are so much fairer than the commonalty,
that they seem almost to belong to different races. The Kaffir,
however, holds precisely the opposite opinion. According to his views
of human beauty, the blacker a man is the handsomer he is considered,
provided that some tinge of red be perceptible. They carry this notion
so far, that in sounding the praises of their king, an act at which
they are very expert, they mention, as one of his excellences, that
he chooses to be black, though, being so powerful a monarch, he might
have been white if he had liked. Europeans who have resided for any
length of time among the Kaffir tribes seem to imbibe similar ideas
about the superior beauty of the black and red complexion. They become
used to it, and perceive little varieties in individuals, though to
an inexperienced eye the color would appear exactly similar in every
person. When they return to civilized society they feel a great
contempt for the pale, lifeless-looking complexion of Europeans,
and some time elapses before they learn to view a fair skin and
light hair with any degree of admiration. Examples of albinos are
occasionally seen among the Kaffirs, but they are not pleasant-looking
individuals, and are not admired by their blacker and more fortunate
fellow-countrymen. A dark olive is, however, tolerably common, but the
real hue of the skin is that of rather blackish chocolate. As is the
case with the negro race, the newly born infant of a Kaffir is nearly
as pale as that of a European, the dark hue becoming developed by
degrees.
Though dark of hue, the Kaffirs are as fastidious about their dusky
complexion as any European belle could be of her own fairer skin; and
the pride with which a Kaffir, even though he be a man and a tried
warrior, regards the shining, transparent black of his skin, has in it
something ludicrous to an inhabitant of Europe.
The hair of the Kaffir, whether it belong to male or female, never
becomes long, but envelopes the head in a close covering of crisp,
woolly curls, very similar to the hair of the true negro. The lips are
always large, the mouth wide, and the nose has very wide nostrils.
These peculiarities the Kaffir has in common with the negro, and it
now and then happens that an individual has these three features
so strongly marked that he might be mistaken for a negro at first
sight. A more careful view, however, would at once detect the lofty
and intellectual forehead, the prominence of the nose, and the high
cheek-bones, together with a nameless but decided cast of countenance,
which marks them out from all other groups of the dark-skinned natives
of Africa. The high cheek-bones form a very prominent feature in the
countenances of the Hottentots and Bosjesmans, but the Kaffir cannot
for a moment be mistaken for either one or the other, any more than a
lion could be mistaken for a puma.
[Illustration: OLD COUNCILLOR AND WIVES. (See page 16.)
THE KAFFIR FROM CHILDHOOD TO AGE. _From Photographic Portraits._
_Married Man._ _Old Councillor._ _Unmarried Girl._ _Old Woman._
_Young Boy._ _Unmarried Man or “Boy.”_ _Young Married Woman and Child._
(See page 12.)]
The expression of the Kaffir face, especially when young, is rather
pleasing; and, as a general rule, is notable when in repose for a
slight plaintiveness, this expression being marked most strongly
in the young, of both sexes. The dark eyes are lively and full of
intellect, and a kind of cheerful good humor pervades the features. As
a people, they are devoid of care. The three great causes of care in
more civilized lands have but little influence on a Kaffir. The clothes
which he absolutely needs are of the most trifling description, and
in our sense of the word cannot be recognized as clothing at all. The
slight hut which enacts the part of a house is constructed of materials
that can be bought for about a shilling, and to the native cost nothing
but the labor of cutting and carrying. His food, which constitutes his
only real anxiety, is obtained far more easily than among civilized
nations, for game-preserving is unknown in Southern Africa, and any
bird or beast becomes the property of any one who chooses to take the
trouble of capturing it. One of the missionary clergy was much struck
by this utter want of care, when he was explaining the Scriptures to
some dusky hearers. The advice “to take no thought for the morrow” had
not the least effect on them. They never had taken any thought for the
morrow, and never would do so, and rather wondered that any one could
have been foolish enough to give them such needless advice.
There is another cause for this heedless enjoyment of the present
moment; namely, an instinctive fatalism, arising from the peculiar
nature of their government. The power of life and death with which the
Kaffir rulers are invested is exercised in so arbitrary and reckless a
manner, that no Kaffir feels the least security for his life. He knows
perfectly well that the king may require his life at any moment, and
he therefore never troubles himself about a future which may have no
existence for him.
Of course these traits of character belong only to the Kaffir in
their normal condition; for, when these splendid savages have placed
themselves under the protection of Europeans, the newly-felt security
of life produces its natural results, and they will display forethought
which would do no discredit to a white man. A lad, for example, will
give faithful service for a year, in order to obtain a cow at the end
of that time. Had he been engaged while under the rule of his own
king, he would have insisted on prepayment, and would have honorably
fulfilled his task provided that the king did not have him executed.
Their fatalism is, in fact, owing to the peculiarly logical turn of
a Kaffir’s mind, and his determination to follow an argument to its
conclusion. He accepts the acknowledged fact that his life is at
the mercy of the king’s caprice, and draws therefrom the inevitable
conclusion that he can calculate on nothing beyond the present moment.
The lofty and thoughtful forehead of the Kaffir does not belie his
character, for, of all savage races, the Kaffir is perhaps the most
intellectual. In acts he is honorable and straightforward, and, with
one whom he can trust, his words will agree with his actions. But he
delights in controversy, and has a special faculty for the Socratic
mode of argument; namely, by asking a series of apparently unimportant
questions, gradually hemming in his adversary, and forcing him to
pronounce his own sentence of condemnation. If he suspects another of
having committed a crime, and examines the supposed culprit before
a council, he will not accuse him directly of the crime, but will
cross-examine him with a skill worthy of any European lawyer, each
question being only capable of being answered in one manner, and so
eliciting successive admissions, each of which forms a step in the
argument.
An amusing example of this style of argument is given by Fleming. Some
Kaffirs had been detected in eating an ox, and the owner brought them
before a council, demanding payment for the ox. Their defence was that
they had not killed the animal, but had found it dying from a wound
inflicted by another ox, and so had considered it as fair spoil. When
their defence had been completed, an old Kaffir began to examine the
previous speaker, and, as usual, commenced by a question apparently
wide of the subject.
Q. “Does an ox tail grow up, down, or sideways?”
A. “Downward.”
Q. “Do its horns grow up, down, or sideways?”
A. “Up.”
Q. “If an ox gores another, does he not lower his head and gore upward?”
A. “Yes.”
Q. “Could he gore downward?”
A. “No.”
The wily interrogator then forced the unwilling witness to examine the
wound which he asserted to have been made by the horn of another ox,
and to admit that the slain beast had been stabbed and not gored.
Mr. Grout, the missionary, mentions an instance of the subtle turn of
mind which distinguishes an intelligent Kaffir. One of the converts
came to ask what he was to do if he went on a journey with his people.
It must first be understood that a Kaffir takes no provisions when
travelling, knowing that he will receive hospitality on the way.
“What shall I do, when I am out on a journey among the people, and they
offer such food as they have, perhaps the flesh of an animal which
has been slaughtered in honor of the ghosts of the departed? If I eat
it, they will say, ‘See there! he is a believer in _our_ religion--he
partakes with us of the meat offered to our gods.’ And if I do not eat,
they will say, ‘See there! he is a believer in the existence and power
of our gods, else why does he hesitate to eat of the meat which we have
slaughtered to them?’”
Argument is a Kaffir’s native element, and he likes nothing better than
a complicated debate where there is plenty of hair-splitting on both
sides. The above instances show that a Kaffir can appreciate a dilemma
as well as the most accomplished logicians, and he is master of that
great key of controversy,--namely, throwing the burden of proof on
the opponent. In all his controversy he is scrupulously polite, never
interrupting an opponent, and patiently awaiting his own turn to speak.
And when the case has been fully argued, and a conclusion arrived at,
he always bows to the decision of the presiding chief, and acquiesces
in the judgment, even when a penalty is inflicted upon himself.
Trained in such a school, the old and influential chief, who has owed
his position as much to his intellect as to his military repute,
becomes a most formidable antagonist in argument, especially when
the question regards the possession of land and the boundaries to be
observed. He fully recognizes the celebrated axiom that language was
given for the purpose of concealing the thoughts, and has recourse to
every evasive subterfuge and sophism that his subtle brain can invent.
He will mix truth and falsehood with such ingenuity that it is hardly
possible to separate them. He will quietly “beg the question,” and then
proceed as composedly as if his argument were a perfectly fair one. He
will attack or defend, as best suits his own case, and often, when he
seems to be yielding point after point, he makes a sudden onslaught,
becomes in his turn the assailant, and marches to victory over the
ruins of his opponent’s arguments.
On page 13 the reader will find a portrait of one of the councillors
attached to Goza, the well-known Kaffir chief, of whom we shall learn
more presently. And see what a face the man has--how his broad forehead
is wrinkled with thought, and how craftily his black eyes gleam from
under their deep brows. Half-naked savage though he be, the man who
will enter into controversy with him will find no mean antagonist, and,
whether the object be religion or politics, he must beware lest he find
himself suddenly defeated exactly when he felt most sure of victory.
The Maori of New Zealand is no mean adept at argument, and in many
points bears a strong resemblance to the Kaffir character. But, in a
contest of wits between a Maori chief and a Zulu councillor, the latter
would be nearly certain to come off the victor.
As a rule, the Kaffir is not of a revengeful character, nor is he
troubled with that exceeding techiness which characterizes some races
of mankind. Not that he is without a sense of dignity. On the contrary,
a Kaffir can be among the most dignified of mankind when he wishes,
and when there is some object in being so. But he is so sure of
himself that, like a true gentleman, he never troubles himself about
asserting his dignity. He is so sure that no real breach of respect can
be wilfully committed, that a Kaffir will seldom hesitate to play a
practical joke upon another--a proceeding which would be the cause of
instant bloodshed among the Malays. And, provided that the joke be a
clever one, no one seems to enjoy it more than the victim.
One resident in Kaffirland mentions several instances of the tendency
of the Kaffirs toward practical joking. A lad in his service gravely
told his fellow-countrymen that all those who came to call on the
Englishmen were bound by etiquette to kneel down and kiss the ground
at a certain distance from the house. The natives, born and bred
in a system of etiquette equal to that of any court in Europe,
unhesitatingly obeyed, while the lad stood by, superintending the
operation, and greatly enjoying the joke. After a while, the trick was
discovered, and no one appreciated the boy’s wit more than those who
had fallen into the snare.
Another anecdote, related by the same author, seems as if it had
been transplanted from a First of April scene in England. A woman
was bringing home a pumpkin, and, according to the usual mode of
carrying burdens in Africa, was balancing it on her head. A mischievous
boy ran hastily to her, and, with a face of horror, exclaimed,
“There’s something on your head!” The woman, startled at the sudden
announcement, thought that at least a snake had got on her head, and
ran away screaming. Down fell the pumpkin, and the boy picked it up,
and ate it before the woman recovered from her fright.
The Kaffir is essentially hospitable. On a journey, any one may go to
the kraal of a stranger, and will certainly be fed and lodged, both
according to his rank and position. White men are received in the
same hospitable manner, and, in virtue of their white skin and their
presumed knowledge, they are always ranked as chiefs, and treated
according.
The Kaffirs are singularly domestic people, and, semi-nomad as they
are, cling with great affection to their simple huts. Chiefs and
warriors of known repute may be seen in their kraals, nursing and
fondling their children with no less affection than is exhibited by the
mothers. Altogether, the Kaffir is a social being. He cannot endure
living alone, eating alone, smoking alone, snuffing alone, or even
cooking alone, but always contrives to form part of some assemblage
devoted to the special purpose. Day by day, the men assemble and
converse with each other, often treating of political affairs, and
training themselves in that school of forensic argument which has
already been mentioned.