Page:Seven Years in South Africa v2.djvu/366

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300
Seven Years in South Africa.

CHAPTER XII.

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE MARUTSE TRIBES.

Ideas of religion—Mode of living—Husbandry and crops—Consumption and preparation of food—Cleanliness—Costume—Position of the women—Education of children—Marriages—Disposal of the dead—Forms of greeting—Modes of travelling—Administration of justice—An execution—Knowledge of medicine—Superstition—Charms—Human sacrifices—Clay and wooden vessels—Calabashes—Basket-work—Weapons—Manufacture of clothing—Tools—Oars— Pipes and snuff-boxes—Ornaments—Toys, tools, and fly-flappers.

  DROWNING USELESS PEOPLE. In the several preceding chapters I have had various occasions to refer to different customs and characteristics of the Marutse-Mabunda people that attracted