350 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
doubts and fears regarding the obstructions which, with 
good reason, had been prophesied to occur here, but were 
dispelled through the courteous sanction and friendly 
demeanour of the much-dreaded Lo-bengula. 
The kraal or town of Buluwayo is situated on the 
outer side of a great elliptic enclosure of about half a 
mile in length, which is entirely occupied by royalty, its 
adherents and belongings. 
Once a year in this immense enclosure a great dance— 
Inxwala—takes place. It is a national event, and is 
considered the first and most martial sight in South 
Africa. The king stands in the centre of his 6,000 
warriors, who are bedecked with ostrich-feather capes 
and otter-skin turbans, their arms being the assegai and 
shield. Various warlike evolutions are gone through, 
such as darting their glistening weapons swift through 
the air, as all the warriors join, and together tap their 
shields with rhythmic beat, shouting and singing the 
while the song of the assegai and the praises of the great 
black king. 
“Come and see at Majobana’s; come and see! 
Here is the display, display of the assegai 
Come and see at Majobana’s; come and see!” 
Then stamping one foot, and pointing the assegai 
towards the heavens, they exclaim in chorus, “ Sh—shu 
—shu,” which literally means, “ We stamp out—we 
will conquer ! ” This they never tire of repeating. 
I was told that year after year the number of warriors 
at this dance is diminishing. Opposing factions have 
assumed or are assuming proportions which forebode a 
troublesome future in the reign of the present king. 
The scions or connections of royalty are not permitted 
to have very large kraals. Their conduct is often a 
source of danger. Three months previously to our 
visit, Lo-ben put to death his uncle, Usikuana, and all 
his kraal, comprising about forty people, a doom which 
was brought on through the uncle exercising privileges 
which were only permitted in the royal circle to the king 
himself. 
Another massacre, which was found to be in order, 
