GENERAL MODE OF LIFE OF THE BICHUANA TRIBES. 531 
besides which, the very name of CafFre contradicts all modern suppo- 
sition of such a descent. For that practice, they are, as far as I could 
learn, unable to give any other reason than that of its being the 
custom of their forefathers, which they are therefore bound to follow ; 
and are probably deterred from the neglect of it, by some traditionary 
superstition. Neither do there*'exist among them, the slightest traces 
of the art of writing, or of any symbolical mark or character j and 
consequently we must ever remain without hope of assistance from 
any written record of their past history. Nor are there any where 
to be found, the smallest remains of antiquity, a subject which in so 
many other countries, offers to the traveller a field for the most 
interesting inquiries; but which, nowhere in these regions presents 
itself for investigation. But there is one record, their languages, 
which if carefully studied and compared with others, might afford 
some light by which our reasonings might proceed with safer steps, 
than mere surmise guided only by facts of an equivocal nature. The 
importance therefore of gaining some insight into language, in the 
absence of recorded history or tradition, ought to be deeply impressed 
upon the mind of every traveller who visits a nation whose origin is 
unknown. Even the smallest gleanings of such knowledge may often 
prove highly interesting and useful. * 
Quitting for the present, the obscurity of conjecture, it will be 
more satisfactory to take a view of the actual state of the Bichuanas ; 
and more particularly of the JBachajnns. * These nations or tribes, 
as far as we are yet acquainted with them, pursue generally the same 
mode of life ; that is, their riches consist chiefly in cattle ; they have 
each but one town, properly so called ; their architecture is circular ; 
their arms are hassagays; their clothing is made of the skins of 
animals ; they wear the kobo f, and their dress is fashioned in the 
manner already described ijl, but the greater part of their body is 
uncovered ; the land which they inhabit is the common property of 
the whole tribe, as a pasture for their herds ; they have no fixed 
* See the explanation of these words, at page 303, f See page 350. 
X At pages 395 — 398. of Vol. I., and 318. of the present volume. 
3 Y 2 
