1 82 NATIVE HOSPITALITY. 



added to this good supply of meal ten or twelve jars of 

 honey, each of which contained about two gallons. Liberal 

 supplies of ground-nuts (Arachis hypogu-a) were also fur- 

 nished every time the tributary tribes brought their dues 

 to Linyanti, and an ox was given for slaughter every 

 week or two. Sekeletu also appropriated two cows to be 

 milked for us every morning and evening. This was in 

 accordance with the acknowledged rule throughout this 

 country, that the chief should feed all strangers who come 

 on any special business to him, and take up their abode 

 in his kotla. A present is usually given in return for the 

 hospitality, but, except in cases where their aboriginal 

 customs have been modified, nothing would be asked. 

 Europeans spoil the feeling that hospitality is the sacred 

 duty of the chiefs, by what in other circumstances is 

 laudable conduct. No sooner do they arrive than they 

 offer to purchase food, and, instead of waiting till a meal 

 is prepared for them in the evening, cook -for themselves, 

 and then often decline even to partake of that which has 

 been made ready for their use. A present is also given, 

 and before long the natives come to expect a gift without 

 having offered any equivalent. 



Strangers frequently have acquaintances among the 

 under-chief s, to whose establishments they turn aside, and 

 are treated on the same principle that others are when 

 they are the guests of the chief. So generally is the duty 

 admitted, that one of the most cogent arguments for 

 polygamy is, that a respectable man with only one wife 

 could not entertain strangers as he ought. This reason 

 has especial weight where the women are the chief cul- 

 tivators of the soil, and have the control over the corn, 

 as at Kolobeng. The poor, however, who have no friends, 

 often suffer much hunger, and the very kind attention 

 Sebituane lavished on all such, was one of the reasons of 

 his great popularity in the country. 



The Makololo cultivate a large extent of land around 

 their villages. Those of them who are real Basutos still 

 retain the habits of that tribe, and may be seen going 

 out with their wives with their hoes in hand ; a state of 

 things never -witnessed at Kolobeng, or among any other 

 Bechuana or Caff re tribe. The great chief Moshesh affords 

 an example to his people annually by not only taking the 

 hoe in hand, but working hard with it on certain public 

 occasions. His Basutos are of the same family with the 



