Missionary Travels and Researches in South AfricaLivingstone, David
Religion
Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa
Livingstone, David
Missions -- South Africa; South Africa -- Description and travel
After crossing the River Lotembwa we traveled about eight miles, and
came to Katema's straggling town (lat. 11d 35' 49" S., long. 22d 27'
E.). It is more a collection of villages than a town. We were led out
about half a mile from the houses, that we might make for ourselves the
best lodging we could of the trees and grass, while Intemese was taken
to Katema to undergo the usual process of pumping as to our past conduct
and professions. Katema soon afterward sent a handsome present of food.
Next morning we had a formal presentation, and found Katema seated on a
sort of throne, with about three hundred men on the ground around, and
thirty women, who were said to be his wives, close behind him. The main
body of the people were seated in a semicircle, at a distance of fifty
yards. Each party had its own head man stationed at a little distance
in front, and, when beckoned by the chief, came near him as councilors.
Intemese gave our history, and Katema placed sixteen large baskets of
meal before us, half a dozen fowls, and a dozen eggs, and expressed
regret that we had slept hungry: he did not like any stranger to suffer
want in his town; and added, "Go home, and cook and eat, and you will
then be in a fit state to speak to me at an audience I will give you
to-morrow." He was busily engaged in hearing the statements of a large
body of fine young men who had fled from Kangenke, chief of Lobale,
on account of his selling their relatives to the native Portuguese who
frequent his country. Katema is a tall man, about forty years of age,
and his head was ornamented with a helmet of beads and feathers. He had
on a snuff-brown coat, with a broad band of tinsel down the arms, and
carried in his hand a large tail made of the caudal extremities of a
number of gnus. This has charms attached to it, and he continued waving
it in front of himself all the time we were there. He seemed in good
spirits, laughing heartily several times. This is a good sign, for a man
who shakes his sides with mirth is seldom difficult to deal with. When
we rose to take leave, all rose with us, as at Shinte's.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account