62 IVnSSIONAKY STATION THE DAMARAS. 



Eichterfelclt was founded in 1848, and Mr. Rath had 

 consequently not been very long settled there. He had 

 taken up his quarters in a temporary hut, consisting of a 

 mud wall four feet high, covered over by mat-work and 

 canvas. At the back of his house were three small native 

 villages, composed of about fifty or sixty wretched hovels, 

 and numbering — children included — about two hundred in- 

 habitants. They were all very poor ; but a few possessed a 

 small drove of sheep or goats, which they obtained in barter 

 for goods given them by the missionary as recompense for 

 labor, errands, and other services. The currency is iron- 

 ware : the regular price for an ox, at this time, was an iron 

 assegai, without the handle ; that of a sheep or goat, a cer- 

 tain quantity of iron or copper wire, or two pieces of iron 

 hoop, each five or six inches in length. The Damaras have 

 a perfect mania for copper and iron, but more especially for 

 the latter ; and it is strange to see how well a few pieces of 

 polished iron become them, when worn as ornaments. 



The Damaras, speaking generally, are an exceedingly fine 

 race of men. Indeed, it is by no means unusual to meet 

 with individuals six feet and some inches in height, and sym- 

 metrically proportioned withal. Their features are, besides, 

 good and regular ; and many might serve as perfect models 

 of the human figure. Their air and carriage, moreover, is 

 very graceful and expressive. But, though their outward 

 appearance denotes great strength, they can by no means 

 compare, in this respect, with even moderately strong Euro- 

 peans. 



The complexion of these people is dark, though not en- 

 tirely black ; but great difference is observable in this respect. 

 Hence, in their own language, they distinguish between the 

 Ovathorondu — the black individuals — and Ovatherandu, or red 

 ones. Their eyes are black, but the expression is rather soft. 



I never saw any albinos in Damara-land, though such are 

 said to occur among the Caffi-es. 



