in.] SOUTH AFRICAN TRIBES. 89 



T These names are indiscriminately used with 



Backwains reference to the particular branch of the great 



_ 1 or Bechuana race, which alone retains the original 



Bechuanas. m • • 



name of the whole. To prevent confusion it is 



well to keep this distinction in view. 



Those called Bechuanas live towards the centre of the con- 

 tinent ; their territory extending from the Orange river to 

 \ 8° south latitude. They principally inhabit plains. 



" Compared with the Caffre family, they are all effeminate 

 and cowardly; yet even here we see courage manifested by 

 those who inhabit a hill-country. Witness, for example, 

 Sebituane, who fought his way from the Basuto country to 

 the Barotse and to the Bashukulompo. Moshesh shewed the 

 same spirit lately in his encounter with English troops. These 

 stand highest in the scale, and certain poor Bechuanas, named 

 Bakalahari, are the lowest 1 ." 



Sechele is their chief; their government is patriarchal ; the 

 under chiefs being heads of families, or houses. Hence the 

 larger their families, the greater the importance of its patri- 

 archal head. The Bechuanas cling to their fathers, and de- 

 spise their mothers; and are remarkably fond of children. 

 These people, especially the women, pride themselves in bear- 

 ing pain without wincing. Men scorn to shed tears. They 

 practise circumcision, but with concealed rites ; and are in- 

 veterate rain-makers. Their dress consists chiefly of a sort of 

 skin cloak ; this awkwardly made, and badly fitting a body 

 shining with grease and red-ochre, and with a head glittering 

 with blue mica schist and fat, does not form a very attractive 

 object for contemplation. 



The Backwains are good friends of the English ; yet they 

 are rendered defenceless by Sir George Cathcart's " gunpowder 

 ordinance," whereby they are denied arms and ammunition ; 

 hence the Boers oppress them. 



Their singing is a sing-song e e e, ae, ae, ae. They make 



1 Letter dated Tete\ 



