The Kafirs of Natal and the Zulu Country

Preface

. The natives of Africa south of the equator may be divided into two classes — those, namely, Avhose language is characterized by Clicks, and those who speak what have been called the Alliteral lano-uao-es. The former class embraces the Hot tentots and Bushmen. The latter includes the Kafirs, Bechuanas, Damaras (of the Plain), the people of Congo, the Suaheli, and other tribes less known. The Kafirs — a name borroAved from the Arabs — lie on the east coast between the Cape Colony and Delagoa Bay. The Amaxosa, who extend to the Bashee River, consist of three diA'isions, known in Colonial phraseology as the Galekas, Gaikas, and Hlambies. The Abatembu (Tambookies) lie N.W. of the Amaxosa, and are supposed to be a few generations older. The Amampondo, under Faku, live on the Umzimvubu and beyond.

N.E. of the Amampondo are Natal aud the Zulu-country — a region some }-ears ago inhabited by two divisions of the Kafir race. The one, called by their neigh bours Amalala (apparently an opprobrious term),

PREFACE.

. occupied a great part of Natal. The other reached from the Amalala towards Delagoa Bay, and included the Zulus, Dwandwes, Tetwas, Quabies. A more particular account of these tribes (whose names it has been thought best to give in an English form) will be found in the Appendix. Each embraced a number of smaller tribes or fami lies — the chief of the parent-family being regarded as head of all. The Zulus were comparatively unimportant before the time of their celebrated chieftain Tshaka (Chaka). That extraordinary man, having adopted a new system of warfare, became the terror of all the people from Delagoa Bay to the Amaxosa. Some of his more immediate neighbours submitted ; but others, including* most of the Dwandwes, fled. When the tribes living in the present Colony of Natal were attacked, a few received permission to remain as tributaries ; many were taken captive ; others sought refug-e in the bush or among more distant people.

Some of the last found their way to the Amaxosa, among* whom they lived in a state of abject bondage until 1835, Avhen they were liberated by Sir Benjamin D'Urban. Their masters had denominated them Amafeno-u, "destitute people in search of service" — a name which has been corrupted into Fingoes. During Tshaka's reign, a feAV Europeans established themselves at Port Natal, and laid the foundation of a settlement which subsequently be-

PREFACE.

. V came a British Colony. Their presence encouraged some of the frightened natives to leave the bush ; others subsequently returned to the country they had been obliged to quit; while many have sought refuge there from the tyranny of the Zulu kings. The consequence is that a district found by the white men almost Avithout inhabitants iioav possesses a native population of one hundred and twenty or thirty thousand souls. The author lived above four years in Natal •i } where he made some researches into the manners of the people. His enquiries were primarily ad dressed to his native servants, and especially to a young* man of about twenty-four, who was in his employment half the time that he resided in the country, and never gave him any reason to doubt his truthfulness. His veracity however Avas not the only point to be considered.

The mental habits of a barbarian had to be taken into account, as well as the uncertainty which attaches to all statements respecting the past made by people without written documents. To obviate the difficulties arising from these sources (as well as to test his informant's truth fulness) it Avas the author's practice to write doAvn the result of every conversation ; and, at some future period, to go over the same subject, again committing the information to paper. The two accounts Avere then compared. In the vicinity of the writer's abode were several kraals, Avhich not only afforded PBEFACE. VI an opportunity of witnessing native customs, but enabled him to procure information from men of standing ancl respectability. A stranger's questions might have been regarded Avith suspicion ; but the author was well acquainted with his neighbours and found them ready to help him in hia investigations.

Other Kafirs, especially the members of his servant's tribe, frequently called at his residence. From some of these knowledge Avas occasionally obtained ; but, generally speaking-, the author placed no reliance on the testimony of natives Avhom he did not know. Information was also acquired from several Europeans. Great use has been made in the folloAvingpages of the " Travels " of Mr. Isaacs, one of the first settlers at Natal. Reference also occurs to the Evidence taken by a Commission appointed to en quire into some matters connected with the Kafirs of Natal. Of the witnesses examined, Mr. Fynn, from his long acquaintance with the people, is espe cially entttled to consideration, and has been freely quoted. Reference is also made to the evidence ofthe Rev. C. L. Dohne, a native of Germany, but con connected Avith the American Mission.

The Com missioners' Report is cited. The MSS. referred to are those of the unfortunate traveller Green and a gentleman who visited Natal from the Cape. They Avere kindly shoAvn to the author by J. C. Chase, Esq., Civil Commissioner of Uitenhage, with per mission to make extracts. CONTENTS.

— Arts and Manufactures. I. Medicine. II. Iron. III. Miscellaneous.