FACTORS IN NATIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. 517 



the use of these instruments is actually illustrated. An interesting- 

 problem, however, has arisen more recently with the discovery 

 of very much larger stones similarly fashioned, for the heaviness 

 of the stones seems to indicate that they were not used by the 

 frail Bushman — and if not by him, then by whom? Up to the 

 present no clear evidence is before us, and in the absence of 

 further evidence the question must remain indeterminate. The 

 probabilities, on the w^iole, remain in favour of the Bushman 

 usage, though I would not be altogether surprised to find that the 

 Natives also made use of this device in order to dig up the roots 

 required for the purposes of food, medicines, and witchcraft, 

 if not in their agricultural efforts. The early records of competent 

 observers speak frequently of a wooden implement not unlike a 

 spade, and useful at both ends, made by the men for the use of 

 the women, who invariably attended to the cultivation of the 

 garden. In the earliest days the women did all the work, the 

 men giving themselves to hunting, feasting, and the care of the 

 cattle. 



The actual operations are described in some detail by Kay in 

 his " Caffrarian Researches," and are worthy of quotation in 

 this connection : — 



Having obtained a plot of ground adapted to their purpose, they 

 then fall upon their knees, and in this position commence the tedious 

 operation. The seed is first thrown about amongst the grass and herbage ; 

 after which they dig up both ground and grass together, and thus plough 

 and harrow in the grain at the same time. Having in this turned up as 

 much as is deemed sufficient for their purpose, they leave the loose weeds 

 and herbage spread over the surface to wither and die; and seldom dress 

 or rake the garden until the blade has begun to shoot above the clods. 

 The rubbish is then gathered together in heaps and burnt ; and the men 

 called upon to perform their part, which ... is to erect the utango 

 or hedge, in which also the poor women are oft-times compelled to assist. 

 Within this enclosure a slight and temporary hut is now built. ... It 

 constitutes the miserable dwelling of one of the women, whose business it 

 is to preserve the crop from birds by day, and from straying cattle at 

 night. Here these watchers are obliged to remain as long as the season 

 lasts, until the harvest be got in.* 



The Missionaries undoubtedly were mainly responsible for 

 the introduction of the plough into Kaffirland, and I am not sure 

 that it was not their chief idea in so doing to lighten the labours 

 of the women, for they had seen the oppressions of the women- 

 folk and the burdens laid upon their shoulders, contrasting with 

 the idleness and. round of hunting and feasting enjoyed by the 

 lord and master of the kraal, and the emancipation of the women 

 must have been a very real consideration. In this connection it 

 is of more than passing interest to note that the Rev. Wm. Shaw, 

 in describing the scene when the first plough was brought to 

 Wesleyville, and the excitement of the Natives as they watched 

 the implement at work, records how an old chief, clapping his 

 hands delightedly, shouted to a companion on the hillside, " This 

 thing that the white people have brought into the country is as 

 good as ten wives " — this illuminating remark revealing the 

 Native viewpoint, and the valtie of the wife in his sight. 



*P. 143. 



