PilALLLS CULT AMONGST THE 13ANTU. 135 



Ahvavs in the afternoon, when ai)i)roaching their Mf>ato, the 

 elders cry out: Tsoai la nfsoetsoc."^ Whereupon the Madikaiii 

 have to answer: J/a/r/o If In connection with this tiiey are in- 

 structed to make use also of a dead Ijrother's wife, to ohtain 

 children for the dead brother. 



When the time is near to bring- them back to the home- 

 kraal, the men make an image of a naked nia;a from soft wood. 

 Before this all must kneel down and wHh bent heads greet it with 

 the name of one. of their old famous Chiefs. Images of game 

 are also made round it, colouredi with clay, lime, coal and ochre. 

 Then this special Mpato is given the name by which it will 

 always he known, e.g., Matooba (that of Chief Sekukuni), 

 Masociu\ Manilla. Magasa, Makoa. Every boy now also gets his 

 own new name. Before leaving they build two little stone-heaps 

 with the image of a hya;na macle of clay (and also coloured like 

 one), called Piri. This the new men destroy. Then all the men 

 sing and dance in praise of the new men, holding long rods 

 upwards, no more to thrash — called: Naka tsha kojiia (horns of 

 the kouia). 



After this all arc well washed, the hair cut, fresh loin-bands 

 put on (either from klipsi)ringers or shee]i), their bodies are 

 well greased and rubbed in with Lefsuka.f a last heavy thrashing 

 is given with the shout: Bonra ki byol ( Idiis is to be a man > — 

 and Avith tremendous shouting, dancing, and singing in the after- 

 noon, they are at last 'brought home to their kraal— as men. 



All things used during those months are bmmt down. Tlie 

 boys are strictl}' forbidden to look I)ack at them and at the place, 

 when the)- go lK>me. 



Xo\v the\- arc men. They have been told, that from now, 

 the\' will 1)C judged a^ men, no mc^rc like children. 



Une or two experiences added by the Translator. 



Years ago, long before the war — when that splemiid I'ara- 

 mount Chief Kgolokoe was ruling the Sekukuni coun.tr_\-. and I 

 was at my station, imder the ■ Ea.stern Precipices of the Lolu 

 A fountains — one day a messenger from the Cliief came to inform 

 me of the death of Selatole, the Chief's brotlier. ( )n the after- 

 noon of the next day I went up with niy few men, wlio had black 

 bands roiuid their arms, driving up also a black ox from me, 

 according- to the usual way of friendh' (,"hiefs to show their 

 sorrow. When on top of the Mountain, ah Induiia, sent by 

 the Chief, asked me not to use my usual l)ridle-path, hut "to go by 

 Another on the left side, ^\dlen asked : ' Why? '" he said : " Our 

 Konia is on this i^iath, and nobody can use it." I became verv 

 angry, and said: " Xever in my life have I turned out of mv wav 



* Sweet salt — meaning soon to lie able to use women. 



+ A cry of astonished wonder. 



±A yellow-brown ochre from bbrnt slate with ircm iiarticles. 



