SOUTHERN AFRICA. 397 
husk, and bearing it into tlic granaries, which with all the 
other inferior earthen vessels were the work of their own 
hands, but they collected most of the materials, and in a 
great measure prepared them for the construction of the 
dwelling-houses. The men employ a considerable portion of 
their time in hunting, in pi eparing skins and hides for cloaks 
and shoes ; and they have tlie sole care of the cattle and of 
the dairy.. 
A few days after their arrival the party had an opportunity 
of being present, by invitation, at a marriage ceremony, and 
of witnessing the festivities that took place on the occasion. 
At the time appointed they Avere conducted to a spacious 
enclosure of a circular form, surrounded by a palisade of 
wood. Here the venerable Chief received them with great 
kindness, m the midst of the elders of the place. On their 
right stood a group of young women, and on the left' about 
an equal number of men, dressed in a very fantastical man- 
ner. A crowd of spectators stood in a ring round the circle, 
leaving the central space free. The men who had been se- 
lected for the performance of the ceremonies on the occasion 
advanced into the area, and began to display their feats of 
agility. The effect of their dancing was singular enough. 
Some of them were dressed in. a kind of petticoat which 
reached from the waist to the knee, composed of black and 
white ostrich feathers arranged in alternate rows ; and others 
had several belts of leather fixed round the body, from the 
neck to the calf of the leg, to which were stitched by one end 
the tails of the jackal, the tyger-cat, and a species ofviverra,'. 
