^4^ THE 1L\GAXAN0A OR MA-LABUCII. 



(Molioio) Oil each side, surmounted by two more poles of the 

 same kind to form a lintel. (Plate 6, No. i.) These poles 

 are covered with their bark, which must be in perfect condition, 

 the least scratch or cut beino^ sufficient to render them unfit for 

 use. This entrance is called the Tscla ea boratafanye (the way 

 of the fathers), and is strictly reserved for the use of men only. 

 On the opposite side of the enclosure, facing the setting sun, 

 is another gate, the Tscla ca Baloi (wizard's entrance), Avhich 

 is used ]3y the Initiates and iheir keepers. (Plate 6. Xo. 2.) 

 The northern part of the enclosttre is raised about two feet above 

 the level of the rest, forming a platform ( Plate 6. A and ]->), 

 the front of which is faced by a low stone wall. When the pre- 

 j)arations have been completed, two fiat stones from the hearth 

 ■of the chief are brought down the moitntain and iixed in posi- 

 tion close to the northern side of the western entrance, outside 

 the M photo. This is the Mocjalabye (^old man), or Circumcision 

 Chair ( Plate 6. Xo. 4 ). 



The l:)0\"s who are to be initiated are summoned to the 

 headman's kraal the night before, and at dawn the whole party 

 marches out to the Mpliato. They halt near the eastern gate, 

 and the " stert-riems " of the boys are removed, and hung up 

 •on a thorn tree hard by. Afterwards the best of these are 

 picked out by the Chief Indunas for the use of their children ; 

 the rest are burned at the close of the ceremonies. Each initiate 

 (Modikcma) is now ])laced under the care of a youth, who has 

 already been initiated, usually an elder brother or some near 

 relation, who accompanies liim everywhere outside the enclo- 

 sure, and waits on him, or bullies him at other times. These 

 wardens are called Maiiiatsahoaua (little stones used for sup- 

 porting a pot over a camp fire). The "stert-riems" having 

 been removed, the initiates are surrounded 1)\' MiUiiafsalinana, 

 and men, and a great noise of shotiting and singing is com- 

 menced, and kept up without intermission until the hrst part 

 of the ceremony is over. The chief's son, or the boy of highest 

 rank, is taken out from the rest, and walking by the side of 

 •one of the Maniatsahoaiia, hidden under the skin cloak of 

 the former,* lie is led round the outside of the enclosure to the 

 western entrance. Here he is seated on the Mogalahyc. with 

 his legs wide apart. Two warders seize him by the ankles, 

 two more grasp his arms, and a lifth, standing behind him, 

 blindfolds the boy by holding his hands over his eyes. 



Before him squats the surgeon, the 'M pakana oa hanna (the 

 little knife of the men), armed with his knife and a cloven 

 stick. The foreskin is clipped between the blades of this 

 primitive forceps, the head depressed, and the operation per- 

 formed. A soft, woven ring of fig-tree fibre (Ficiis clasfica?) 

 is then pushed over to the base of the organ, and suspended by 

 cords from the boy's waist. This ring, called the Kgolego (the 



* Cf. "Customs of the World." 1, 141. 



