562 INITIATION RITES OF THE l!APi:i)I. 



In conclusion, 1 wish to bear record to the excellent work 

 of Air. C. A. T. Winter. His knowledge of the language and 

 of the native mind has been invaluable, and I cannot adequately 

 express my thanks to him for the trouble he has taken in getting 

 information for me, and for his help in other ways ; indeed, 

 without him these notes could never have been written. The 

 present writer's work has practically consisted of directing the 

 course of the enquiry amongst the natives, revision, and render- 

 ing into English — the real credit belongs to Mr. Winter. 



The Kgoma. 



Every Mopedi boy must submit to circumcision, and per- 

 form the other secret rites of the Kgoma, or " Native School," 

 as it is popularlv called, before he can claim the privileges of 

 manhood, including the rieht of marriaee in the tribe. 



These initiation ceremonies are performed periodically, and 

 always commence when the Kaffir-corn ripens, i.e., about March 

 or April. The ])roceedings are divided into two parts : 



1. The Bodika, which lasts for about three months; and 



2. The Bocjoera. 



The BoniKA.* 



A month before the opening ceremonies, the young men of 

 the tribe who have already been initiated are sent out by the 

 chief to gather quantities of long, slender rods of Morctloo.f 

 These are tied in bundles and buried in the cattle kraal. ± They 

 are to be used for thrashing the boys, and are said to be 

 toughened by this treatment. 



The Director of Ceremonies, or Master of the Lodge, is 

 called Rahadia. He has absolute control of all the proceedings, 

 and his word is law. Under him are the Miditi (H^erders). 

 These are youths chosen from the ranks of those who were 

 initiated during the previous " School." They accompany the 

 Badikana (Initiates) everywhere, combining the duties of 

 Instructor, Lictor, and Warden. 



When the day chosen for opening the Lodge arrives, the 

 Chief and the Men of the kraal gather in secret conclave, and 

 choose one of their number as Tipane (Cutter), whose duty it 

 is to perform the operation of circumcision. As soon as he is 

 elected, he is sent out to choose a suitable spot where the opera- 

 tion may conveniently be performed. 



In the meanwhile all the Mashoboro (uncircumcised) are 

 summoned to the fireplace of the chief. Each boy brings a 

 bundle of firewood as his contribution to the Chief's fire. 

 There they sleep that night. 



Very early next morning the Tipane leaves the kraal 

 secretly, and repairs to the place of circumcision. This is 



* Bodika = something private ; not supposed to be seen. 



f Moretloa ^= Lycium rigidum. Largely used in basket-making. 



X See Appendix, Note B. 



