170 
IIOUZOUANAS. 
Houzouanas. 
This is the name of a wandering nation of Africa. When M. Vail- 
lant was at the Cape, he was informed that this people formerly 
inhabited the country of Camdebo, the Snowy Mountains, and the 
district between them and CafFraria, and that they lived on peaceable 
and friendly terms with the European planters, till a set of lawless 
banditti, sent from Holland, subjected them to bondage, repaid their 
most laborious services with harsh treatment, and, when the Houzou- 
anas fled to the mountains for refuge, pursued and massacred them 
like wild beasts ; that on this they removed to the land which they 
now possess, but, enraged at their tyranny, swore in their own name to 
be revenged on these European monsters. “ And thus,” adds he, “ if 
tradition says true, was a peaceful and industrious nation rendered war- 
like, vindictive, and ferocious;” and their hatred to the planters is per- 
petuated. Their courage and predatory habits rendered them the dread 
of the surrounding tribes : yet a Hottentot, w ho had lived many years 
among them, assured M. Vaillant, “ that they are by no means murderers 
by profession; that they take up arms only to make just reprisals; that 
they live entirely by hunting; and that though they sometimes rob when 
provisions fail, they never kill except in retaliation.” 
On the whole, they appear in many respects to resemble the Arabs, 
being, like them, brave, and addicted to rapine, but so unalterably 
faithful to their engagements, that they will defend to the last drop of 
their blood the traveller who purchases their service, and puts his 
confidence in them for protection. In M. Vaillant’s opinion, “ if it 
be at all practicable to travel from south to north through Africa, it 
' can only be under the conduct of the Houzouanas;” and he thinks fifty 
men of their brave, temperate, and indefatigable nation, will be suffi- 
cient to protect an enterprising European through that long and 
hazardous journey. “ He describes these people as so superior to the 
other natives of South Africa, that, though of low' stature, (a person 
five feet four inches high being among them counted very tall,) yet in 
their well-proportioned little bodies are united surprising strength 
and agility, with a certain art of assurance, boldness, and haughtiness, 
which aw'es the beholder. Of all the savage races, M. Vaillant saw 
. none that appeared endowed w'ith a mind so active, and a constitution 
so hardy. He also celebrates them as affectionate parents and hus- 
bands. As to their persons, their heads, though they resemble those 
of the Hottentots, are rounder towards the chin. They are not so 
black, but have rather the lead-coloured complexion of the Malays. 
Their hair is more woolly, and very short. Their noses are flatter, 
which makes their faces have a bad profile ; although their eyes are 
so large and lively, and their features so expressive, that their counte- 
nances are on the whole agreeable. 
The climate being hot, they go almost entirely naked all the year, 
except that they have a piece of jackal skin fastened round the 
loins. They often sleep on the bare ground, they sometimes stop 
in fertile places, and erect a kraal, or temporary village, in which 
case they have no private property, but enjoy all things in common* 
