CHAPTER VII. 



Damara helpmates. — Marriage tie. — Caravan to Ovampo land. — Yearly 

 traffic. — Otchikoto. — Improvised chaunts. — Reach an Ovampo cattle- 

 post. — Archery practice. — The parent tree. — We reach Ondonga. — 

 Com, beans, and palms. — Fruit trees. — Native beer. — Density of the 

 Population. — Encamp by Nangoro's village. — Cannot obtain Pasturage. 

 — Nangoro pays us a visit. — Ovampo Belles. — We go to a Ball. — 

 Description of Dances. — Charms and counter-charms. — Nangoro's 

 Palace. — The Great River. — Prospects. — The King is Crowned. — 

 His Lawful Successors. — The Queens' Duties. — Ovampo Dentists. — 

 Surgical Practice. 



May 22ncl. — The Ovampo and ourselves were all in 

 readiness, and we travelled for a couple of hours to a 

 place of general rendezvous. I was very curious to 

 see what our caravans would consist of, as it would 

 give an accurate idea of the amount of trade and 

 communication that goes on northwards from Damara- 

 land. There are four of these caravans yearly, — two 

 to Chapupa's werft, and two that travel between those 

 Ovampo and Damaras that severally live near the sea. 

 Kahikene had told me of these last ; and I have since 

 heard much fidler particulars about them. 



We had fifteen ride and pack oxen, eight slaughter ; 

 two cows, one calf, thirty sheep, and three goats. 

 Goats are very useful to furnish leather, in case any- 



K 2 



