SNUFF-TAKING HANDKEKCHIEFS. 453 



The Bechuanas are great snuff-takers, and they indulge in 

 the luxury to excess. Sharing the contents of your snuff- 

 box with a stranger is almost the greatest compliment that 

 can be paid to him. Knowing their propensity in this re- 

 spect, I brought with me a large supply, but, on my arrival 

 at the Lake, was astonished to find that they scarcely deign- 

 ed to look at it. I soon discovered the cause of their singu- 

 lar abstinence, which arose simply from the article not being 

 sufficiently pungent. Unless it forces tears into their eyes, 

 they look upon snuff as worthless. 



The way in which the Bechuanas themselves manufacture 

 snuff is singular enough. A piece of tobacco being present- 

 ed to a man, two stones are forthwith procured, between 

 which the weed is carefully ground, and, when of sufficient 

 fineness, a quantity of wood-ash is added, which, to their 

 nostrils, constitutes the very perfection of snuff. When the 

 amalgamation of the ingredients is perfected, every one pres- 

 ent presses eagerly forward to have a pinch. Each fills the 

 palm of his hand with the mixture, and scoops it into the 

 nose with a peculiarly shaped iron or ivory spoon, hung 

 round the neck, drawing every grain leisurely up into the 

 nostrils in such abundance as to force big tears into the eyes, 

 thus proving the extent of the enjoyment. *' Worse than 

 barbarian would that man be esteemed who would wanton- 

 ly interrupt a social party so employed." Their greasy fin- 

 gers constitute their handkerchiefs on such occasions, and 

 their faces, after one of these " snuff-floods," may not inaptly 

 be likened to a dewy and furrowed field. Their snuff-boxes 

 are either the kernel of the palm-fruit, hollowed out, or a 

 diminutive gourd, and, like the ladles, are suspended round 

 the neck, though sometimes they are secured to the arm 

 above the elbow. 



The Bechuanas smoke, but it can hardly be said to be a 

 fashionable vice among them. This is, at least, as regards 

 the men, for the women, on the contrary, are inveterate 



