a Tribe of Caffesi on the East of the Cape Colony. 41 



at least pointing out tho person who has by this means caused 

 his sufifeiings. When these ends are obtained — Hope returns. 

 Despair flies, and, in its train, those sufferings which had their 

 origin from this cause. Health is restored, and another proof 

 of the existence of witchcraft and of the power of their 

 sorceries is treasured up in the heads and hearts of the people. 



When any article is lost they also apply to the same persons, 

 who, after performins^ some ceremonies, which at times last 

 several days, proceed from the place in an apparently mysterious 

 mood. The conjuror is followed by the people, and when he 

 stops they commence a search. Sometimes it is successful, and 

 the lost article is found ; but more commonly he leads them to 

 the bank of a stream where it is very deep. The search is 

 useless, and they conclude it has been thrown in by the thief. 

 The guilty person is never pointed out. 



To persons called Igiaka-lumsulu, or rain doctors, they 

 apply when there is a want of rain. The manner of the appli- 

 tation is as follows : 



The whole of the warriors of the tribe assemble, clothed in 

 martial array, and proceed in great state to his residence with 

 the offerings that are to be made to the conjuror. On their 

 arrival their present is offered and their request for rain made 

 known. A feast is then made, and the cattle of which the 

 offering consists furnish the viands. Dancing is commenced, 

 and is continued for some days, during which the conjuror pre- 

 tends he is using his charms. He then gives them some instruc- 

 tions and dismisses them. The instructions delivered are of the 

 following kind, and on the observance of them the requested 

 rain is to follow — that, they are never to look behind them 

 during the journey— sometimes that they must not look to the 

 right or left — at others that they are to keep a strict silence, 

 not to speak to each other, or to any they may meet — also, at 

 other times they are directed to make every person they meet 

 return with them, and to be subject to the same restrictions that 

 arc imposed on themselves. If rain follows they attribute it to 

 the charm of tlie conjuror and to their observance of his 

 instructions. If the desired event does not happen they blame 

 tlicmselves for an involuntary departure from his instructions, 

 and the same farce is repeated. 



Upon the howling of dogs they imagine they shall have bad 

 news. 



If a person kills or hurts one of the ardca pavonia, or crested 

 cranes, they believe some of his family will soon die : and if 

 they should appropriate to their own use the produce of land 

 that has been torn up by the elephant, or if a young elephant 

 should be taken alive, or should stray into a field, they believe 

 tlmt the elephant will come and destroy the person or persons to 



V 



