Visit to Lake Fundusi in the Zout^ansherg District, Transvaal. 89 
€xtra inflow of a rainy season being balanced by the extra leakage that each 
additional foot of water in the lake obtains through the barrage. 
To the foot of the barrage, where the water comes out, is probably about 
1200 yds. This is a most beautiful spot, as the water gushes out in dozens 
of eyes " all surrounded by a natural grove of plantains. 
The level of these eyes " was, by aneroid observation, 2900 ft., or 
170 ft. below the water level of the lake above. 
The quantity of water escaping was not closely estimated, but it appeared 
to be about 10 cu. sees. 
Along the shores of the lake the scenery is not particularly beautiful, 
and the footing is so rough as to be almost impracticable, but coming 
back from Mandoga, where the water emerges from the barrage, we found 
a high level path which was reasonably good walking and from which 
the view of the lake was lovely. 
Apart from its interest as the only lake in the Union, Fundusi and the 
native tribe which inhabits the surrounding mountains should have a very 
great interest to ethnologists, for the Bavenda are entirely different to the 
ordinary Batu tribes of South Africa, and have different customs and 
language. To deal with these customs is out of the scope of this paper, 
nor is the author qualified to do so, but the following points about this tribe 
are noted here in the hopes that some interest may be aroused in them 
amongst ethnologists. 
(1) The Bavenda at one time inhabited the Zimbabwe region and 
brought sacred stones from there to Zoutpansberg when they migrated. 
(2) Amongst the Bavenda are certain "orthodox" families called 
Malembi " who carry on many customs usually associated with the Semitic 
races. 
(3) The former Bavenda made quite considerable irrigation works, some 
of which are still in existence. 
(4) Some of the Bavenda tribes still burn their dead, others throw their 
dead into sacred waters. 
(5) Sacred stones and stone circles such as the one described on the 
path from Sibasa's to Fundusi are respected, if not erected by the tribe. 
From the point of view of beauty Fundusi does not compare favourably 
with the majority of mountain lakes of Europe, but on the other hand the 
wildness of the surroundings, the peculiar nature of its origin, and the 
interest attaching to the tribe inhabiting the district, make it well worth a 
visit. In time to come, if the Motalie valley is inhabited by white men, the 
lake will become of immense practical value for irrigation purposes, as the 
barrage stores the surplus run-off of the rainy season and regulates the out- 
flow in a manner that could hardly be surpassed by an artificial dam with 
regulated sluice-gates. 
