Chap XVI. RECEPTION BY SHINTE. 199 



shoulders ; in front was his chief wife, with a curious red cap 

 on her head, and behind him about a hundred women clothed 

 in a profusion of red baize. 



On entering the kotla Manenko's party saluted Shinte by 

 clapping their hands; and Sambanza did obeisance by rubbing 

 his chest and arms with ashes. The other tree being unoccu- 

 pied, I and my party retreated to it for the sake of the shade, 

 and could thence see the whole ceremony. The different 

 sections of the tribe came forward in the same way that we 

 did, the head-man of each making obeisance with ashes which 

 he carried with him for the purpose ; then the soldiers, all 

 armed to the teeth, with swords drawn, and their faces 

 screwed up so as to appear as savage as possible, came running 

 and shouting towards us ; they then wheeled round towards 

 Shinte, saluted him, and retired. When all were seated the 

 curious capering usually seen in pichos began. A man starts 

 up and imitates the most approved attitudes observed in 

 actual fight, — such as throwing a javelin, receiving one on his 

 shield, springing aside to avoid another, running backwards 

 or forwards, leaping, &c. Then Sambanza, and Xyamoana's 

 spokesman, stalked backwards and forwards in front of Shinte, 

 vociferating all that they knew of my history and my connec- 

 tion with the Makololo ; explaining at length the objects of 

 my mission, and winding up with a recommendation to Shinte 

 that he had better receive the white man well, and send him 

 on his way. 



During the intervals between the speeches the ladies burst 

 forth into a sort of plaintive ditty ; but w r e could not ascertain 

 whether it was in praise of the speaker, of Shinte, or of them- 

 selves. This was the first time I had seen females present in 

 a public assembly. In the south the women are not permitted 

 to enter the kotla ; and even wmen invited to come to a 

 religious service they would not enter until ordered by the 

 chief; but here they expressed approbation by clapping their 

 bands and laughing ; and Shinte frequently turned round and 

 spoke to them. 



A party of musicians, consisting of three drummers and 

 four performers on the piano, went round the kotla several 

 times, regaling us with their music. The drums are neatly 

 carved from the trunk of a tree, and have a small hole in the 



