266 
SOUTHERN AFRICA, 
evidence ; for, although the Mahomedans are 
known to practice this rite, yet their obser- 
vance of it appears to be from expediency, 
and is in no way accompanied with these many 
Israelitish and J ewish traditionary observances 
still existing, and practised, amongst the Kaffir 
tribes. 
The performance of this rite on the male 
children at the age of fourteen, and of a similar 
one on the young females at the age of twelve 
years, is always conducted with great solemnity, 
and afterwards is concluded with dancing and 
festivities. The attendant usages are singular 
and grotesque, and anything but becoming to 
their personal appearance. 
Whilst undergoing the operation, and for 
several days before and after it, all the persons 
on whom it is performed, are brought inside 
the cattle " kraal" There large quantities of 
white clay, blood, and water are mixed together, 
and, with this, they are painted from head to 
feet. They are then set to dance, in a state of 
nudity, until it becomes perfectly dry. Another 
coat is then applied, and the same process is 
repeated. In this manner they proceed, laying 
coat over coat, until their bodies are perfectly 
exception within our knowledge, for instead of decreasing in number 
or strength, they are known to be annually increasing, and that very 
extensively and rapidly. 
