THROUGH ZAMBESI A. 
383 
showing that she herself is ready and willing again to 
begin work. 
Marriage customs are simple. When a man becomes 
enamoured, his usual course is to plead his suit either 
through his eldest aunt, or one of the girl’s sisters. The 
medium is designated buia. To this person he presents 
his petition, handing her at the same time a string 
of white beads, w T hile with many urgent entreaties he 
begs that she will lay his proposal before the young 
girl’s family. The medium then lodges the application 
in due form, and receives from the family several strings 
MATABELE. ZULU. ANGONI. 
HEAD-RINGS OF THE ZULU FAMILY. 
of beads of the same colour, with the assurance that the 
offer is provisionally accepted. The young man then 
enters the service of his prospective father-in-law, in the 
capacity of a domestic sevant, so that the family may 
learn something of his disposition. After a service of 
two months, the plea is again placed before the father 
of the intended bride by the same medium, who receives 
the presents that are to be distributed among all the 
members of the family, to the extent of twenty strings 
of white porcelains and a few yards of calico. White 
only is accepted, as coloured cloth would betoken evil. 
Accompanied by an escort of relatives and friends, the 
