The Cape and the Kaffirs: A Diary of Five Years' Residence in Kaffirland — John Shaqi
The Cape and the Kaffirs: A Diary of Five Years' Residence in KaffirlandWard, Mrs.
History
The Cape and the Kaffirs: A Diary of Five Years' Residence in Kaffirland
Ward, Mrs.
South Africa -- History -- Frontier Wars, 1811-1878
The restless desire for plunder among the Kaffirs speaks much in favour
of their Arab origin. So do their tent-shaped huts, their riches
consisting in herds of cattle, and their wandering habits. The Kaffirs'
principal instrument of war is the spear, or assegai. Such, a weapon is
now in especial use among the Arabs. The poising and hurling this spear
constitute a trial of dexterity which they love to exhibit; and there
could not be a finer subject for a painter than a tall Kaffir,
majestically formed, with one foot firmly planted before him, his head
thrown back, his kaross draped pound him, leaving the right arm and foot
free and unfettered, in the act of poising an assegai before he sends it
flashing through the sunlit air. Their wearing clothes will be an
excellent thing for our manufactories, but will help to enervate the
savage.
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I cannot avoid reverting to the fact that writers have never, in their
descriptions, separated the Fingoes from the Kafirs. There is no doubt
that they once formed one vast nation, but are now not only distinct but
opposed to each other. In advertisements relative to servants, and
setting forth Government ordinances, mention is made of all the tribes
of Kaffirs to the utmost limits of the known territory, also of
Hottentots and Bushmen, but no reference is made to Fingoes, who differ
from the Kaffirs in appearance as well as in habits.
Mr Shepstone, the Government agent, has kindly written down, from what
he has gathered from them in conversation, the idea of the Kaffirs
respecting their own origin. He says--
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