CAFFRARIA, 



THE country known by the general denomination of Caffraria is a 

 very extensive region, bounded on the north by Negroland and Abys- 

 sinia ; on the west by part of Guinea, Congo, and the sea ; on the south, 

 by the Cape of Good Hope ; and on the east by the sea. It is divided 

 into several territories and kingdoms, of which little is known, and is 

 computed to be 700 miles long, and 660 broad. 



The men among the Caffres (or Kaffers) says lieutenant Paterson* 

 are from five feet ten inches to six feet high, and well proportioned, 

 and in general evince great courage in attacking lions or any beasts 

 of prey. 



The colour of the Caffres is a jet black, their teeth white as ivory, 

 and their eyes large. The clothing of both sexes is nearly the same, 

 consisting entirely of the hides of oxen, which are as pliant as cloth. 

 The men wear tails of different animals tied round their thighs ; 

 pieces of brass in their hair, and large ivory rings on their arms: 

 they are also adorned with the hair of lions, and feathers fastened on 

 their heads, with many other fantastical ornaments. 



They are extremely fond of dogs, which they exchange for cattle ; 

 and to such a height do they carry this passion, that, if one particularly 

 pleases them, they will give two bullocks in exchange for it. Their 

 whole exercise through the day is hunting, fighting, or dancing. They 

 are expert in throwing their lances ; and in time of war use shields 

 made of the hides of oxen. 



The women are employed in the cultivation of their gardens and 

 corn. They cultivate several vegetables, which are not indigenous 

 to their country ; such as tobacco, water-melons, a sort of kidney- 

 beans, and hemp. The women also make baskets, and the mats which 

 they sleep on. The men have great pride in their cattle ; they cut 

 their horns in such a way as to be able to turn them into any shape 

 they please ; and they teach them to answer a Avhistle. When they 

 wish their cattle to return home, they go a little way from the house, 

 and blow this small instrument, which is made of ivory or bone, and so 

 constructed as to be heard at a great distance, and in this manner bring 

 all their cattle home without any difficulty. 



The soil of this country is a blackish loamy ground, and so extremely 

 fertile, that every vegetable substance, whether sown or planted^ grows 

 here with great luxuriance. There are great variations in the climate; 

 but I had no thermometer to observe the degrees of heat. It seldom 

 rains except in the summer season, when it is accompanied with thun- 

 der and lightning. The country, however, is extremely well supplied 

 with water, not only from the high land towards the north, which fur- 

 nishes abundance throughout the year, but from many fountains of ex- 

 cellent water, which are found in the woods. From what I observed in 

 this country, I am induced to believe, that it is greatly superior to any 

 other known part of Africa. The woods produce a variety of arbore- 



