758 ABORIGINAL PLACE NAMKS. 



If the g is to be pronounced according to its Dutch value, then 

 it is clear that the correct spelling should be -fa, and that the 

 original Bushman sound was given as nearly as possible in terms y 

 of the Dutch alphabet. It is in the last degree unlikely that the g 

 represents the EngHsh sound of that letter. But then, in that 

 case, the r in the middle of Kareiga should surely also have been 

 similarly expressed, for the English r sound is not found in 

 si-Xosa, and the spelling would more consistently be Kagiga, 

 using Dutch equivalents, and most correct of all Kafira. 



In the name Kasouga, as pronounced in that area, there is 

 the same suggestion as if the final -ga were nearer to -ka than 

 -la. By a process of " boiling down," we get a stew that is not 

 without its values. Kasouga thus becomes Kasouka, betttr 

 Kasuka, perhaps Kasura, none of which, however, are so satis- 

 fying as Xasura. Similarly Kariega, as also the other form 

 Kareiga, might be carried a step further. In' adopting an initial 

 click, and so becoming Xarira. As suggestions — no more — thcv 

 are allowed to stand. 



But the -ra, -ka. question is one that cannot be lightly passed 

 over, for there is all the dilTerence between the two, since -ra 

 is diminutive in force, and -ka — according to Mr. Pettman — is 

 expressive of abundance, plenty. Thus, in his " Notes on South 

 [African Place-names," p. 4, he classifies as Hottentot names 

 " Place and river names ending in -ka, e.g., Gamka, abounding in 

 lions; Dwyka, Tarka. Coega, Kariega, Prieska, the place of the 

 lost goat." 



But if Gamka is abounding in lions, why is not Prieska 

 abounding in goats — and, in any case, what is the English r doing- 

 there? The interesting point, however, is that Coega and 

 Kariega are classified as if they belonged to the -ka rather than 

 the -ra class, and as -ra is Bushman rather than Hottentot, these 

 names must be regarded as of Bushman origin, if we take the 

 other view, though adopted (and perhaps adapted) later by the 

 I.'ottentots. 



As a matter of fact, and for the guidance of enquirers, it 

 should be mentioned that there is an alternative name in 

 general use in the locality for the river Kinira. namely, 

 Keneglia. 1'his. again introduces another diversion, 



namely, ihe introduction of an h, and the h, ]jrobably 

 present owing to the influence of the English settlers, determines, 

 I think, the fact that the final syllable must be associated with 

 the -fa, rather than the -ka, sound. In any case the comparatively 

 large number of names ending in -fa in the Transkei are all of 

 them pronounced in accordance with the view put forward here, 

 as opposed to that of Mr. Pettman, and some one or two at least 

 si>elt in the Dutch way confirm the whole argument conclusively. 

 In particular, the Ramra, of Butterworth District, throws an 

 interesting sidelight vipon the Ciskeian Gamka, to which refer- 

 ence has already been made, especially upon the value of the 

 suffix. Taking all in all, and not even ruling out the tw'o suffixes,. 



