SEPT.] GREAT NAMACQUA COUNTRY. 
427 
tain roots which they eat will then be ripe, and dig 
for them accordingly. When they see the planet 
Jupiter, which they call Koumhoop, they say, now is 
the fruitful season : the name signifies iambs loose, or 
lamb time. Three stars in a row (or Orion's belt) which 
the Dutch call the three kings, they call Kooreekoo, or 
wild horses. The sun they call Sooris ; and the moon, 
Kaap. All the stars together they call Kameroo. 
When they observe any luminous appearance re- 
sembling the Aurora Borealis, they consider it as an 
unlucky sign. They know no more of the world than 
what is round about them. They dance to music 
from flutes made of reeds, and the root of the camel- 
thorn tree, and use drums made of skins. They manu- 
facture wooden vessels for holding milk, and bowls, 
assagays, rings, axes of iron, and knives : they dress 
hides, and dig wells, &c. 
They abound in horned cattle, goats and sheep; 
taking care of which is the only work assigned to their 
children. The women make mats of rushes for cover- 
ing their huts, milk the cows, build the huts, and dig 
roots for food. When they marry, the husband gives 
cattle to the parents of the female, and also slaughters 
some for a feast. The sports of children are, riding on 
sheep, shooting or throwing arrows at each other, and 
frequently combats with small stones. Two parties 
often have a set fight ; they who conquer seize on tlie 
cows of their opponents and drink their milk, after 
which they return them. 
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