406 
THE NEW AFRICA 
messages with many solemn rites to the living, who accept and act 
on these dicta for good or evil without question, whether involving 
war or the murder of a relation, the site chosen for a new cornfield, 
or whatever else may he uppermost in their minds, affecting the daily 
existence of the national welfare. 
The Barotzi are clever fishermen and expert navigators of the 
rapid Zambesi in their little hollow dug-outs, which they handle with 
an ease and grace that excite the admiration of the Matabele, who are 
by no means a water-loving people. They are also good agriculturists, 
winning Mabele corn, Mahuza millet, mealies, Indian corn, pistachio 
nuts, pumpkins, sugar cane, and native as well as sweet potatoes from 
their gardens. Native tobacco with a round leaf, and dacha, cannabis 
indica —which they also smoke—are objects of their extreme solicitude, 
judging by the care with which these are cultivated in separate little 
patches round their huts. 
Their social life, according to civilised creed, leaves much room for 
improvement. Marriage and purchase of wives for cattle is a distinct 
feature of their domesticity, but it is no unusual occurrence for a man 
burdened with several wives to call to his assistance some willing 
youth to help in protecting his crops and family, who takes the place 
of auxiliary husband amongst the surplus wives, while the utmost 
harmony prevails under this new arrangement. To the traveller also 
is accorded the privilege, once prevalent in Europe, of hospitality at 
bed and board. This, if accepted, implies a claim on the favoured 
individual, who may any day expect a visit at his kraal from the 
‘amiable one 5 to ask for a share of any crops, blankets or beds he 
may possess. The custom, fully recognised, gives rise to no disagree¬ 
ables, and, according to their views, contains no cause for the ill- 
feeling such behaviour would be sure to excite amongst any other 
tribes living in South Africa. They are affectionate parents, decking 
the children out with beads and brass armlets, etc .; but when twins 
are born, it is related that the last arrival is sacrificed to their belief 
that this is unholy, and the poor little mite is thrown to the crocodiles 
in the Zambesi. 
Amongst the lower classes and slaves, the word morality conveys 
no meaning whatever; therefore the less said about this the better. 
Printed by T. and A. Constable, Printers to Her Majesty 
at the Edinburgh University Press 
