KAFFRARIA, OR KAFFIRLAND.
Northeast of Cape Colony lies a country rich in the natural beauty of
its scenery and noted for the great variety of animal life to be found
there.
Kaffraria, or Kaffirland, serves to separate Cape Colony from Natal. It
is occupied by various semi-independent tribes of Kaffirs. They number
more than five hundred thousand.
They occupy a region about twice the size of Greece. Compared with
Natal, it about equals it in area. While if we compare it with the
Orange Free State, we find its area only about one-half as large.
The territory is bounded on the south by the Kei River. It is for this
reason we find it sometimes bearing the name Transkei. It is well
watered and fertile. In its more elevated sections it is well wooded.
The country possesses vast tracts of land suitable for agricultural and
grazing purposes. Both these branches of industry are followed to some
extent by the natives.
While the natives are classed together under the general name of Kaffir,
yet there are a number of distinct tribes bearing special names and
occupying well-defined tracts in the territory. Most of these tribes
have been some time under British rule to a certain extent. Constant
insurrections and rebellions have been the direct cause of the Kaffir
wars, so frequently discussed among the current topics of the
newspapers.
The cost to Great Britain in the attempt partially to subjugate these
tribes must have been enormous.
Several of the more powerful of them have occupied some of the best
agricultural sections of South Africa. Others, while inferior to some
tribes in strength and warfare, are superior in intelligence and an
adaptability to civilization.
Under the influence of civilization some of the natives have learned not
only to cultivate corn and wool, but have become versed in trade and
have even learned to acquire money. Periods of war have been of such
frequent occurrence that the effects of civilization have not been as
lasting as the British nation could desire.
There are several Kaffir countries not included within the area of
Kaffraria. The most important of these is Zululand. This country became
quite important under the military discipline of a line of warrior
chiefs, and soon extended its boundaries until they reached the Limpopo
and the limits of Cape Colony.
A war with Great Britain was disastrous to Zululand; hence, its
boundaries since 1880 are not so extensive. The country has been divided
among a dozen or more native chiefs, some of whom are in nowise Zulus.
The region north of Delagoa Bay has been under the rule of an
independent Zulu chief. He has allowed the Portuguese to found
settlements here and there along the coast.
Many dissensions have arisen among the different Zulu conquerors; and
neighboring tribes, taking advantage of them, have, in turn, subjugated
the Zulu tribes or have risen in arms to exterminate them.
The Kaffirs that live beyond the Fish River, on the eastern border of
the colony, belong to one tribe of the Bechuana family.
In character they are bold, warlike, and very independent. From the
possession of these qualities and from their cast of features, it is
believed by many that they are of Arabian origin.
The men are well proportioned and extremely tall; some of them are six
feet and upwards in height. The women have good tempers and are animated
and cheerful in their temperament. They have beautiful teeth, white, and
regular in form. They have neither the thick lips nor the flat noses of
most of the African natives. Their figures, however, form a strong
contrast to those of the men; for they are short and sturdy.
The name Kaffir, or unbeliever, was given by the Moors to the tribes
dwelling along the southeastern coast of Africa, and was afterwards
adopted by the Portuguese. Later, the term was applied to all the tribes
in the same region.
The Kaffirs' mode of life is very simple. The diet consists principally
of milk. This is kept in leathern bottles till it becomes sufficiently
thick and acid. Boiled corn is a favorite dish. This is served in small
baskets, from which each one helps himself with his hands. Some times a
kind of pottage is made of the corn. Again, it is formed into thick
cakes, and baked upon the hearth.
The winter's provisions are stored either in pits or subterranean
granaries. These cakes, with an occasional feast of fresh meat, form a
diet substantial enough for this hardy people.
The dress of the Kaffirs is made entirely from the skins of beasts.
These are prepared in such a way as to make them soft and elastic. The
covering of the men consists of a long cloak, which hangs loosely from
the shoulders and reaches nearly to the feet. In order to protect
themselves from the parching effects of the sun's rays, these people
anoint their bodies with some oily substance. The dress of the women is
also made of skins, but fashioned differently.
The chief wealth of the Kaffir consists of his herds of cattle. His
highest ambition is to increase the size of his herds, and his chief
thought is to look after the welfare of his four-footed friends.
The life of a Kaffir woman is one of bondage. She is expected to perform
the most laborious tasks, such as tilling the ground, felling wood, and
erecting dwellings.
The Kaffirs are very shrewd when bartering their goods. When one has
goods to dispose of, he will sit down among his comrades and await the
approach of one of the colonial traders, who has beads and other
articles of traffic to exchange for Kaffir goods.
As neither party can understand the language of the other, the trade is
carried on by means of signs; for an interpreter is seldom present.
If the quantity of beads offered for any article does not seem
sufficiently large, the Kaffir merely shakes his head to express his
dissatisfaction with the price offered. If more beads are added to the
quantity already offered, the Kaffir may still continue to show dissent
by a still more vigorous shake of the head.
Sometimes such an interview terminates, after much time has been spent
in negotiation, without either party coming to terms. The bead merchant
does not hesitate to show his vexation and chagrin at the result of the
interview, but the Kaffir appears cool and indifferent from first to
last.
Often a second and a third dealer will approach the Kaffir, hoping to
secure a bargain, but the stubborn fellow not unfrequently refuses to
consider any offer, and departs, with his undiminished load, for the
next market or fair ground.
Here he may or may not dispose of his goods, according to the mood he
may be in. But it is no uncommon thing for him ultimately to exchange
his articles for a less quantity of beads than he was originally offered
for them.