South and South Central Africa: A record of fifteen years' missionary labors among primitive peoplesDavidson, Hannah Frances
History
South and South Central Africa: A record of fifteen years' missionary labors among primitive peoples
Davidson, Hannah Frances
Brethren in Christ Church -- Missions; Missions -- Rhodesia; Ndebele (African people); Tsonga (African people)
In June we arranged to make the trip, taking our large wagon on which
was a canvas top, which was drawn by donkeys, consequently progress was
slow. Three of our boys accompanied us. We were obliged to go west about
nine miles before a road could be found leading through the hills. This
wagon road was exceedingly rough and stony and very little traveled, and
the donkeys slowly wended their way in and out among the hills which
continually surrounded us and seemed to close us in. Frequently as the
immense piles of rock seemed to stretch across our path in front and bar
further progress, we would be led to exclaim, "Truly, there is no way
out of this," but on we went and the way continued to open.
The tediousness of the journey was relieved by the exceeding beauty of
the scenery as it gradually unfolded before our eyes. In the first of
the trip are to be seen the immense bald hills of solid granite, similar
to some in the vicinity of the mission. Soon the scene changes and the
eye is greeted on every side by lofty ridges, consisting of immense
boulders piled up in all sorts of fantastic shapes, by the Great
Architect, and from out of every possible crevice grow trees and
shrubbery of all sorts. The dark green of the foliage, interspersed with
the varying shades of grey, yellow, red, and green of the rock, forms a
picture of surpassing loveliness. Baboons, large and small, would make
their appearance on the jutting rocks, as we passed along, and bark at
these intruders into their peaceful domain.
As the hills abounded in game, and Elder Steigerwald was a good shot, we
did not want for meat on the journey. So, while the donkeys were
grazing, fires would be built and pot roasts and many sorts of
delectable dishes would be prepared and eaten with relish. Natives are
generally happy if they have plenty of meat to eat; so on this journey
Tebengo declared that they would be longing for the fleshpots of Egypt
when they returned to the mission. Next to meat, their favorite dish was
Graham flour made into a loaf by means of water and a little salt, then
baked in the hot ashes.
South of the hills we left the beaten track, which proceeds east to
Gwanda, and started south to the open country, which is known as Mapani
Land, named from the large amount of excellent hardwood Mapani trees
which grow here. Very few natives were seen on the journey through the
hills, but in this rich, open plain of the south there were numerous
kraals. The natives received us gladly and readily consented to have
services; and as there were no missionaries in this part of the country,
many of the people had the privilege of hearing for the first time the
Story of the Cross. On this trip we came to the home of Holi, a rich and
prominent native. His wife is a daughter of King Lobengula and a sister
of Ganukisa, who lived at the mission. Here we were very kindly received
and Holi presented Elder Steigerwald with a fine fat sheep.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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