530 SEMAIfEMBUE'S PEOPLE. 



probable effect of the gospel. They require no explana- 

 tion of the existence of the Deity. Sekwebu makes use 

 of the term " Reza," and they appear to understand at 

 once. I4ke negroes in general, they have a strong ten- 

 dency to worship, and I heard that Semalembue gets 

 a good deal of ivory from the surrounding tribes, on 

 pretence of having some supernatural power. He trans- 

 mits this to some other chiefs on the Zambesi, and receives 

 in return English cotton goods which come from Mozam- 

 bique by Babisa traders. My men here began to sell 

 their beads and other ornaments for cotton cloth. Sema- 

 lembue was accompanied by about forty people, all large 

 men. They have much wool on their heads, which is 

 sometimes drawn all together up to the crown, and tied 

 there in a large tapering bunch. The forehead, and round 

 by the ears, is shaven close to the base of this tuft. 

 Others draw out the hair on one side, and twist it into 

 little strings. The rest is taken over, and hangs above 

 the ear, which gives the appearance of having a cap cocked 

 jauntily on the side of the head. 



The mode of salutation is by clapping the hands. 

 Various parties of women came from the surrounding 

 villages to see the white man, but all seemed very much 

 afraid. Their fear, which I seldom could allay, made 

 them, when addressed, clap their hands with increasing 

 vigour. Sekwebu was the only one of the Makololo who 

 knew this part of the country ; and this was the region 

 which to his mind was best adapted for the residence of a 

 tribe. The natives generally have a good idea of the 

 nature of the soil and pasturage, and Sekwebu expatiated 

 with great eloquence on the capabilities of this part for 

 supplying the wants of the Makololo. There is certainly 

 abundance of room at present in the country for thousands 

 and thousands more of population. 



We passed near the I^osito, a former encampment of 

 the Matabele, with whom Sekwebu had lived. At the 

 sight of the bones of the oxen they had devoured, and the 

 spot where savage dances had taken place, though all 

 deserted now, the poor fellow burst out into a wild 

 Matabele song. He pointed out also a district about two 

 days and a half west of Semalembue, where Sebituane 

 had formerly dwelt. There is a hot fountain on the hills 

 there, named " Nakalombo," which may be seen at a 

 distance, emitting steam. " There," said Sekwebu, " had 



