64 
DANCING AT 
6 March, 
nothing more than his ' jackal.' * In this attitude he continued his 
dancing without cessation. 
Sometimes, however, this is performed without the support of 
sticks ; and although the same person kept on dancing during the 
whole time I was present in the hut, jet each one of the company is 
allowed to take his turn, till, having danced as long as he chooses, he 
retires to the circle, and another rises, who, after tying on the rattles, 
takes his place ; for, one pair of these rattles serves the whole party. 
The man who, being, perhaps, proud of the interest which I appeared 
to take in his performance, had continued so long to exhibit before 
me his indefatigable powers, gave up his place soon after I quitted 
the hut ; and was succeeded by others, who prolonged the pleasing 
harmless amusement without interval. 
This dancing is indeed of a singular kind ; and I know not if 
among all the tribes of savages on the globe, any thing similar is to 
be found ; it certainly is not to be met with in any civilized nation. 
One foot remains motionless, while the other dances in a quick wild 
irregular manner, changing its place but little, though the knee and 
leg is turned from side to side as much as the attitude will allow. 
The arms have little motion, their duty being to support the body. 
The dancer continues singing all the while, and keeps time with 
every movement; sometimes twisting the body in sudden starts, till 
at last, as if fatigued by the violence of his exertions, he drops upon 
the ground to recover breath ; still maintaining the spirit of the 
dance, and continuing to sing, and keep time by the motion of his 
body, to the voices and accompaniments of the spectators. In a few 
seconds he starts up again, and proceeds with renewed vigor. When 
one foot is tired out, or has done its share of the dance, the other 
comes forward and performs the same part ; and thus, changing legs 
from time to time, it seemed as though he meant to convince his 
friends that he could dance for ever. 
• That part of a Hottentot's dress, which is called the jackal, has been described at 
p. 397. of Vol. I. 
