HISTORY AND CUSTOMS OF THE MAKARANGA. 389 



For many years after the Rebellion had been put down, the 

 natives were very sore at the manner in which, as they put it, 

 " ( rod cheated us," and the words Magancja-hutari were more or 

 less taboo: it was only necessary to mention the word amongst a 

 crowd of natives to cause an instant silence to fall, and by no 

 means could they be persuaded to discuss the matter. 



In passing, it might be mentioned that the signal to rise in 

 1896 was a Kaffir corn stalk sent from Chief to Chief. 



The Warozwi are now thoroughly incorporated with the 

 other tribes of Rhodesia, not only as regards language, but also 

 customs and laws, and they are all known to the Europeans as 

 JMakaranga. Maswina or Alashona. 



How these names originated is impossible to say : the natives 

 do not use the words themselves, but nowadays, out of deference 

 to the ignorance of Europeans, they have adopted the names, 

 using them to explain their tribe, but it can be stated emphatically 

 that there is no such tribe as Karanga or Swina in the country. 



Of all their beliefs and customs the custom of divination (or 

 bone-throwing) is the one most firmly fixed in their minds. 

 From the cradle to the grave their life is a perpetual enquiry as 

 to what it is propitious to do and what not. The most stringent 

 laws, with enormously heavy penalties, have been imposed ori 

 those who persist in divination ; but nothwithstanding. it is highly 

 improbable that the practice is indulged in any the less now than 

 it was when we first occupied the country. The only difference 

 is that nowadays the art is carried on in secret, and the natives 

 are not so ready to talk about it as formerly. 



The bones or okata are of two kinds: first'of all comes the 

 Riipanga or household oracle, for everyday use amongst families. 

 They consist of four slabs of wood or ivory, about five inches 

 long by two inches broaci by half an inch thick ; each slab is carved 

 in a special manner on one side only. They are known by dif- 

 ferent names, viz., Nokwaro, Chintmc, Kwaini and Tokwadzima. 

 The procedure adopted is for the diviner to hold two slabs in each 

 hand ; he then calls out the enquiry which is being made in a loud 

 voice, the hands holding the slabs are clapped together, and the 

 slabs are cast on the ground. Naturally some fall one way up, 

 some another, and from the position they lie does the diviner 

 read the answer to his question. Of course, they may have to be 

 thrown several times before a decisive reply to the question is 

 received. 



CIvrumc and 7'okwadaima are spoken of as the " two boys." 

 whilst Kwami is called " the two stones " or " the crocodile," the 

 latter from the fact that it has a crocodile carved on its 'face. Tf 

 either of the two former fall face up it denotes good luck, if one 

 is going on a journey, seeking for lost property, etc. ; whilst 

 Kivami falling face up signifies death, extreme bad luck, etc.. 

 unless the enquiry is regarding success in hunting, when Kivmni 

 denotes luck to the hunter — that is death to a buck. If the 

 enquirv is regarding a sick person, it foretells that this person will 



