KAFFRA&IAN WOMEN. 
219 
wood, the bowls of which contain a large tea- 
cupful. 
"When the baskets have been emptied, they 
are ranged in rows on the ground, and the half- 
starved dogs* of the "kraal" or village, then 
thrust their lean heads into them, and lick 
them dry. This process is considered amply 
sufficient for cleansing, so that they are then 
placed aside until next required. 
Their use of curded, instead of sweet milk 
in their food, is founded on experience, the 
most violent internal inflamation being rapidly 
engendered, in that country, by the indiscrimi- 
nate use of sweet milk. 
In their domestic customs, the women merely 
perform the menial offices, and work in the 
fields at digging, hoeing, carrying water, &c, 
and other like occupations. They are kept in 
complete subjection, and are cruelly beaten for 
every supposed offence. Notwithstanding this 
harsh and rude treatment, they are apparently 
happy, joyous creatures, and make the village 
resound with their merry laughing and incessant 
gossiping. They are quite as fond of smoking 
and taking snuff as the men, and their hearts 
are as easily bought by a pipeful of tobacco, as 
by flattery ; to which they are quite as sensi- 
tive as their fairer sisters of Europe. 
* The Dutch Wilde-Honde. 
