a lYiheof Coffers on the East of the Cape Colony. 4? 



domestic occupations, and that she has a warrior for her hus- 

 liaiid whose fate may bo — death in the field from the hand of a 

 foe. After this the bride's party proceed towards the assembly 

 of the principal men, who are sitting down ia front of the 

 tlaucers. Here they sta-ad awhile showing themselves and turn- 

 ing round as they aic directed. 



In one ceremony which I saw, and with the description of 

 which I shall now close this account, because, from repeated 

 observations since, I have lound it to be the constant and 

 unvaried manner of its being perfoi-nied. 



The bride is now subjected to the jest and ribaldry of the 

 party, and the poor abashed creature, from the drooping head 

 and glistening eye, appeared to be passing a severe ordeal to 

 her feelings. After a time, during which these lords of the 

 creation seemed to enjoy the confusion of the bride and her 

 companions, the procession moved on towards the groupe of 

 females. Her former suti'crings appeared to be nothing to what 

 she was now fated to endure, for abuse rather than jests, and 

 threatening in the place of ribaldry, now took place. Some 

 ]>oi!ited out in the most dismal colours what she would have 

 to sutFcr now she was a wife, and others pointed out the defects 

 of her person, and called upon all to observe them ; this waa 

 utteied in loud and discordant tones, accompanied by the most 

 violent and menacing gestures, so that at times I feared some 

 harm would befal them, but it was only a part of the ceremony, 

 and the concluding part, for the old women suddenly threw 

 over them haresses, the warriors from the kraal rushed for- 

 ward and enclosed them round with their shields and hurried 

 them olf to one of the huts. If the man should take two wives 

 at the same time, the same ceremonies are gone through by 

 each separately, the second commencing when the first is com- 

 pletely finished. 



These feasts are generally concluded by an ox race. The 

 animals which are to strive against each other, are taken out with 

 the cattle some miles from the kraal, they are driven out from 

 these, when a messenger is sent to them, and from being frequent- 

 ly practised in this manner, they immediately run off with great 

 speed, the Caffers running and shouting after them : the first 

 that arrives at the kraal is the winner, and becomes the pro- 

 perty of the Chief, or any Caller who will give a certain number 

 of cows, which is fixed on before. On some occasions this price 

 has been fi.\'ed at five cows, which is a great price, for the 

 generality of oxen are of less value than cows amongst them. 

 On one marriage lately the feasting lasted eight days, eighteen 

 oxen were slaughtcd by the bridejrroom and his father, besides 

 several that were presented by the Chief. Sour thick milk, 

 which is the constant beverage of these people, was supplied to 



