Africa being an accurate description of the regions of Ægypt, Barbary, Lybia, and Billedulgerid, the land of Negroes, Guinee, Æthiopia and the Abyssines : with all the adjacent islands, either in the Mediterranean, Atlantick, Southern or Oriental Sea, belonging thereunto : with the several denominations fo their coasts, harbors, creeks, rivers, lakes, cities, towns, castles, and villages, their customs, modes and manners, languages, religions and inexhaustible treasure : with their governments and policy, variety of trade and barter : and also of their wonderful plants, beasts, birds and serpents : collected and translated from most authentick authors and augmented with later observations : illustrated with notes and adorn'd with peculiar maps and proper sculptures / by John Ogilby, Esq. ...

HEUSAQUA'S.

THe Heusaqua's lie North-West-ward from the Great Cape; * 1.1 but so far distant, that little knowledge hath been gained of them, and that from bare report, none having ever seen their Countrey, or been among them; the best Intelligence hath been drawn from the Mouths of three of themselves, that came to the Fort of Good Hope, with the Governor Chainou∣qua's, to sell some Cattel, and returned with all convenient speed.

These Heusaqua's onely maintain themselves with Planting (for the rest of the Hottentots neither Sowe nor Plant) of a powerful Root, * 1.2 which they call Dacha; sometimes eating it, otherwhiles mingling it with Water to drink; ei∣ther of which ways taken, causeth Ebriety. When they become intoxicated therwith, they play many strange and antick Tricks, as if they were mad; in the middle of which the Women come and strew the dried and pulverized Herb Boggoa on their Heads, being of a yellow colour, and strong scent, and for that onely use fetch'd from the Mountains.

These People have great skill in the catching both old and young Lions in Snares, which they make tame, and lead with a Rope about their Necks like a Dog. Some of their Lions, which they have had along time, they frequent∣ly carry to the Wars, and by that means put their Enemies to flight without any resistance: A thing that seems very strange, yet most certainly used amongst them.

All the Places of Kafrarie, known by the People of Europe, generally lie at the Sea-coast, being principally Capes, Bays, and Havens; for Towns or Vil∣lages there are none, the Savage Inhabitants contenting themselves with the homely Covert of moveable Huts, after the manner of the wild Arabs.

This Countrey shoots very far into the South, * 1.3 shewing several Capes and Promontories; amongst which, the cheifest the Cape of Good Hope, or Cabo de Bona Esperanza, lieth in four and thirty Degrees and one and twenty Minutes South Latitude. When this Point was discover'd, and why so call'd, we have before related.

The next and most Southerly Point of Africa, the Portuguese call Cabo das An∣guilhas, * 1.4

the Needle-Cape, or the Head of the Needle, situate about twenty Dutch Miles Eastward from the Cape of Good Hope, in full thirty five Degrees South Latitude. It was so call'd by them from the Compass-Needle, which they observ'd to stand due South and North at this Point; but several late experienc'd Sea-men affirm it to vary five or six Degrees from the North, West-ward.

Here lieth a great Shelf of Sand, full of Fishes, which extends eighteen Miles into the Sea, beginning in the West by the Sweet River, and ending in the East at the Fish-Bay.

Between these Points, * 1.5 in the Height of four and thirty Degrees and a half, five or six Miles Eastward of the Hope, appears Cabo Falso, or False Cape; for Sailing out of India, and making this Cape in clear Weather, they mistook it for that of Good Hope, by reason of its near resemblance to the same; but coming nearer, they found their Error. This Cape may be known by three high Hills, near adjoyning to each other, whereof the two outermost are highest.

The Cape of Good Hope appears in the form of a hanging Island, with a small Isthmus between two Bays, joyn'd to the Main Land, and contains several high and craggy Mountains; of which, two more remarkable, the Table, and the Lion-Mountain.

The Table-Mountain, * 1.6 in Portuguese call'd Tavoa de Cabo, lieth about an hours Journey from the Shore, Southward of the Fresh and Salt River, and hath re∣ceived that name from its shape, because it is flat on the top like a Table.

At the Salt River they climb up this Mountain by a Cliff, in all other places not being ascendible, by reason of its great steepness; and that way, asks four or five hours Labor to gain the top: And this height makes it visible above ten Leagues to the Offin. Against ill Weather, two or three Hours before, 'tis so co∣ver'd with thick Mists and Clouds, that they cannot discover the top.

Close by Table-Mount, * 1.7 lie those towring Hills in a row, which the Portuguese call Os Picos Fragosos.

The Lion-Mountain, * 1.8 so call'd either from the abundance of Lions upon it, or because it appears out at Sea like a Lion, lieth somewhat more Westerly, and closer to the Sea than the Table: so that its Tail makes the Point at the end of the Bay. Between these two appears a pleasant Valley.

Near the Table riseth another, * 1.9 call'd Wind-Hill, because always troubled with rough Winds.

Beyond these, to the South, you come to a Valley over-grown with Bram∣bles, other Bushes, and Wood.

Further up into the Countrey are some standing-Waters, over-grown with Bulrushes, Canes, and Sedg-weeds, wherein breed many Wild-fowl, Geese, Duck, Teal, Snipes, and such like.

Along the Sea-coast several good Bays or Creeks open themselves, affording convenient Havens for Ships.

Eighteen Miles North-West from the Cape of Good Hope lieth Soldanha-Bay, * 1.10 where the Soldanhars have their chief Residence. Some would make the Coun∣trey lying at this Bay, an Island, contrary to the receiv'd Opinion of all Geo∣graphers; and to support their Fancy, aver, That it is divided from the Main Land of Africa by a deep Bay at the South-East side, and on the East side by a small River below Table-Mountain, and inhabited by five or fix hundred People.

The most eminent and fairest place is Table-Bay, * 1.11 having on the South-side the Conneys or Badgers-Island. It contains four Dutch Miles in compass; so that

[illustration]

CABO DE BONE ESPERANSE.

a whole Fleet of Ships may easily ride there, having under the Shore four Fa∣thom water and Sandy ground, and Land-lockt against all Storms and Tem∣pests, except onely the North-West Wind.

At Table-Bay, and the foot of the Table-Mountain, * 1.12 the Netherlanders have a Fort, for the defence and shelter of their Shipping in their Voyages; Built in a Quadrangular form; Fortifi'd with a great many Pieces of Ordnance, and a convenient Garrison of Souldiers, strong enough to repulse any Army of native Assailants: By which they have a Garden of fifteen Acres of ground, Planted with several Trees and Fruits, besides the Plantation on the other side of Table-Mountain, full as big again.

A Governor Commands this Fort, assisted by two Merchants, a Book-keep∣er, or Clerk, Accomptant, some Assistants, and a Serjeant over the Souldiers; all which are chief Men and Councellors.

Without this Fort, divers free people of several Nations have their residence, transported out of Holland; and maintain themselves chiefly by Tillage and Planting, but they pay for their Priviledge a part of their Harvest to the Go∣vernor for the Benefit and Advantage of the Company.

In the Latitude of four and thirty degrees, and forty minutes, Eastward of the Needle-Cape, lieth another Bay; first call'd Flesh-Bay, * 1.13 by reason of the abun∣dance of Cattel to be had there.

This Bay, wherein lyeth a small Island, standing open to all Winds, except on the North; and at the West-side runs a Brook of fresh Water from the Moun∣tain, yielding no small refreshment to Sea-men.

Eight or ten miles Eastward, you arrive at Fish-Bay, * 1.14 so nam'd from its abun∣dance of Fishing.

Fifteen or twenty miles Eastward hereof, in the elevation of four and thir∣ty degrees, and thirty minutes, you discover Muscle-Bay; so call'd by the Dutch, * 1.15 but by the Portuguese, Seno Formoso, that is, Faire-Bay.

Next Seno Formoso follow Seno del Lago, that is, The Bay of the Lake, * 1.16 because the Sea hath wash'd into the Shore in such a manner, that it seems to be a great Lake rather than a Bay, containing many Islands and Havens; and amongst others, Ilehos Ctaos.

Between these are three Capes plac'd in the Maps, viz. Cabo de Sante Fransisko, Cabo das Sorras, and Cabo do Aregito, and an Isle call'd, The Island of Content.

Somewhat higher Northerly, the River St. Christopher glides along; * 1.17 the Por∣tugnese call it, Rio de Sante Christian, and the Inhabitants Nagoa; in whose Mouth three Islands are seen.

Next this River appears a Tract of Land, by the Portuguese call'd Terra de Natal, that is, The Land of the Nativity of Christ; so call'd, from the day of its first discovery.

The Southermost Countrey of these parts, is water'd by three known, * 1.18 be∣sides many other unknown Rivers, viz. The Sweet, and Salt River, and Rio de Jak∣quelina.

Just about the foot of Lion-Mountain, flows the Sweet River, * 1.19 which takes its beginning out of the descent of Table-Mount, and runs down very swiftly through, not above knee-deep. Pigafet will have this River take its Original out of the Lake Gale, between the Mountains of the Moon on the West-side, and to fall into the Sea by False-Cape: whereas the common African Maps place there the River Kamissa.

To the East, beyond Terra de Natal, opposite to this little River, in the year Sixteen hundred forty and four, some few Dutchmen erected a Fort or Bulwark, with four Angles, for the defence of this fresh water, but they never finish∣ed it.

Half a mile Eastward runs the Salt-River; so call'd from its plenty of Salt, for on a great place of Sand, three or four miles upwards, by heat and drought so much fine and white Salt continually grows, that a Ship might soon be La∣den therewith.

Rio de Jackquelina hath its Original within the Countrey, and its Out-let about half a mile Eastward into Table-Bay.

As to the Air, quality of the Soyl, Plants, Beasts, Customs, Food, Cloath∣ing, Arms, Language, Religion and Worship, of this people in general; we cannot say much, that little we shall speak, will have onely relation to the Hot∣tentots, lying close to the Cape, as the Garouchouquas, Goringhuiquas, Goringhaiconas, Cochoquas, or Saldanhans, great and little Cariguriquas, and Hosaas; for of the rest, viz. the Vanouquas, Cabonas, Sonquas, Mamaquas, Heusaquas, Brigoudys, Hancumquas, hitherto little or no information hath been had, other than that in general they agree with those that lie nearest to the Cape.

The Air about the Cape of Good-Hope is always Serene, * 1.20 Clear, and Tempe∣rate, and by consequence very Healthy, because neither the Heat parches, nor the Cold pierces too much. In June and July, blow the stiffest and sharpest storms of Wind from the Southerly Points, which continue till December, mix'd with Mists, Snow and Frost; so that the waters in June and July are often Fro∣zen the thickness of the back of a Knife.

The Vale-Winds, * 1.21 or Hurricans, blow sometimes so terribly from the Moun∣tains, which are commonly cover'd with thick Clouds, which hover there, and break with that violence, as if all above ground would be rent to pieces. At this time, when the Winds bluster and tear so horribly, they make a hollow Sea at the Point, which too often proves dangerous for Ships.

It Rains there in the Winter, that is, in May or June, so extreamly, as if it did almost pour down, whereby the low grounds are laid under Water, yet with∣out any prejudice; for after the falling away of the Water, the ground appears more fresh and flourishing.

The Soyl about the Cape, is in some places very rich and ferile, fit to be Husbanded, and to produce all manner of Fruits; although other parts be full of Clay, Stony, Gravelly, or Sandy: some Trees grow here and there, but so hard and knotty, as makes them fit onely for Fuel: yet the natives report, that in the Countrey there grow such Trees, that a hundred men may shelter them∣selves under one of them; perhaps the Indian Fig-Tree, by Linschot call'd Ar∣bar de Rais.

There grow in the Winter, * 1.22 especially among the Saldanhars, certain little roots which they eat; some of them have a taste like Anniseeds, others like Je∣rusalem-Artichokes, others as Acorns.

The Valleys and Plains under, lie verdur'd with Grass and sweet Herbs, which being boyl'd with fresh Meat, make a pleasant Sallet.

Close by the Fort of Good-Hope, on a Mountain call'd, The Vineyard, the Ne∣therlanders have Planted forty thousand Vine-stocks, which all at this day send forth lusty Sprouts and Leaves, and bear Grapes in such abundance, that some∣times they press Wine of them: They have there also Peaches, Apricocks, Ches∣nuts, Olive-Trees, and such like Fruits.

[illustration]

There grow wild upon the Mountains, and in the Valleys, and on the banks of the Rivers, many other sorts of Plants; as among the rest a peculiar sort of Tulips, Sempervive, Fritillaria, or Speckled Lillies, Penny-Wort, or Dragon-Wort with sharp pointed Leaves, Sorrel with knotted Roots, and white Blossoms.

The Tulip bears a bole bigger than ones fist, having thick Shells, * 1.23 but of a faint smell. The Blossom that shoots out before the Leaves in April, of a very high red colour, appearing very gloriously, and hath five broad, long, and thick Leaves; within having whitish red Stripes, and at the end a round Stalk of a span long, streak'd and speckled with purple upon a white ground. It grows upon the Mountains.

The Sempervive or House-Leek, hath Leaves almost a finger thick, whitish green, and as big almost as the Palm of ones Hand.

The Fritillaria, or the speckled Narcissus, which some reckon as a sort of Denti∣laria, or Eminie; hath in stead of Leaves, Sprouts of a fingers length, thick and juicy, with sharp and round broken edges like Teeth, of a pale purple above, and underneath green: At the Leaves comes a flower that hath five limber Leaves, sharp at the ends, with a high Crown or Tuft in the middle, hollow within, inclosing another flower, which hath also five Leaves, all yellow, but of a dark-brown at the ends, with some very red standards in the middle: this Plant hath no smell, and grows upon barren and Sandy Mountains.

The Sorrel with knotted Roots, shoots up a span in height, hath hard, pale green Leaves, long and slender, which stand aloft on the Stalk five or six toge∣ther, for below the Stalk is void of Leaves.

In the very Sea it self, about the Cape may be seen several Plants, viz. * 1.24 a Fort of Canes; by the Portuguese call'd Tromba's, which grow with Moss, being large and thick, in the fashion of a Cornet; some such (but longer) are found on the Cape, and the Island of Tristan de Cunba; from whence Linschot saith it flotes along, driven by the Wind thence to the West side of the Cape, near the Shore,

upon sight whereof, the Sea-men infallibly know they are near this Coast.

Also Sargossa, a kind of a Lentil, drives along, being an Herb like Sedge, or Wild-Cresses; which are to be seen an hundred miles far and wide in the Ethio∣pian Sea, driven upon heaps.

They have also Coral, Tortoise-shells, Pearls, and in the Salt-River pure white Salt.

About Cabo das Aiguilhas, or Needle-Cape, are Sharks-bones found, which the Goldsmiths use; although some are of opinion they came from the Sea-Cat or Bleach, with which that Sea abounds.

In the particular relations of this Countrey, * 1.25 we told you they had great store of Cattel; We will now onely add, That the Oxen are very fair, fleshy, and thick, and some near half a foot higher than those among us; with very fine, slender, and long crook'd Horns: Others have their Horns flat and hang∣ing down loose by their bodies.

They have infinite flocks of Sheep, very large, with long Legs, and Hair in stead of Wool; their tails are nothing but fat, and some of them so heavy, that they have weigh'd eighteen or twenty pounds and more.

The Woods, Valleys, and plain low Gronds, feed many wild Beasts; as Stags or Harts, Roe-Hindes, and wild Cows, who run together by sixty, seven∣ty, yea a hundred in a Head. Badgers, of a red colour, but so slow in running, that a man may easily outstrip them, yet their flesh is accounted a pleasant food. Wild-Bears, Wild-Goats, Hares, Conies, Ringstreak'd Tygers, a fierce and dan∣gerous Beast, Leopards, Wolves, Rhinocerots, and Elephants.

On the tops of the Mountains, keep multitudes of fierce Lions, which in dark Moons come out of their hideous Dens of shelter, and seek their prey close un∣der the Fort; and therefore they always about the Inclosure (where the Cattel are kept in by night) kindle great fires to scare them away.

There are found great Beasts like Elephants, with two Horns at their No∣ses, such as the Rhinocerots hath one. It ordinarily goes swifter than a man, in its speediest course, hath a skin with short Mouse-dun hair, a tail and feet like an Elephant, streight and round ears, and a short bunch of black hair, in stead of a Mane on the Neck.

Here have been seen many Jack-alls, being a creature that by his quick scent discovers prey for the Lion, and is both his Guard and Spie.

The Ocean also produces many Creatures, as Sea-Rabbits, Sea-Dogs, Sea-Wolves, or Sea-Bears, who in the Summer swim in the Sea, but in the Winter remain under ground, and keep on Shore, and in the Cliffs.

The Sea-Wolves, or rather Sea-Bears, because with their paws and gestures more resemble Bears than Wolves, onely they have sharper Snouts, and are a fiercer Creature, biting cruelly; they exceed men for the most part in swift∣ness of running, so without two or three they are not to be taken.

On the Shore of the Rivers, are many Sea-Horses, Porcupisses, or Sea-Hogs, and Sea-Cats.

Many sorts of small and great Fowls are found here; * 1.26 as Partridges, Ducks, Sparrows, Geese, Wild-Ducks, Parrets will yellow Bills, More-hens, Wagtails, Gulls, Teal, Wood-Snipes and Water-Snipes, and Cormorants, being a black sort of Fowl, as big and as large as Ducks or Geese.

Here also breed the Pinguyns, * 1.27 with small thick Feathers, more like Bristles or Beasts Hair than Plumes; in stead of Wings they have a Leather Finn on each Foot, wherewith they swim; they have very tough Skins, are cruel in

biting, ready in diving, and keep as well in the Sea as at Land. They harbor in the Sedges, lie in a Burrow scraped out hollow, and lay their Eggs in the Sand, to the number of four or five, bigger than Goose-Eggs, and with a white Shell. They have so slow a pace that we easily catch them, or follow them to their Nests, which they defend with biting, and are not to be forced thence without Staves. Their Flesh is Oylie, and not good to eat, except they be two or three times boyl'd in fresh Water, and then fry'd in a Pan with Butter or Suet.

There are also Moor-Cocks, Marsh-Fowl, with red Bills and Legs, wild Peacocks, white Shovelers, as big as a Hen, with a Neck in two or three Joynts, Herons of three sorts, viz. blue ones, white ones, of a middle size, and black, as big as Sea-pies, which keep most in Moorish places; Cranes, several kinds of Hawks, Peacocks, Pheasants, Partridges, Ravens, Crows and Ostriches.

The Bird Flemengos increases here numerously; in bigness like a Goose, * 1.28 with long and red Legs, Bills, and Wings; the other parts have all white Feathers.

Also white Lapwings, which flie so boldly, that they will come to the Muzzle of a Gun.

The Fowls which come from Land and frequent the Sea, are of divers sorts, as the Antenagas, great speckled Fowls, which many times sit upon the dry places within the Water about the Needle-Cape.

Alcatraces, a gray Fowl, almost like a Lapwing.

Pheasants, little bigger than Swallows, white-feather'd, with gray or black Specks, ringstreaked, and speckled in their Bodies, and therefore easie to be known from the other.

The Gavoitoyns, or Dyvers, which sit in the Water about the Cape.

Garagias, almost the same with the Alcatraces.

Jan-van-Genten, or white Plovers, tipt with black at the end of their Wings.

Another sort of great Fowls, call'd in Portuguese, Mangas de Velludo, or Velvet-Parrots, have black Tufts like Velvet on their Wings, and in flying hold them not steady, but flutter as Pigeons.

As the Air is thus replenished with good Fowl, no less doth the Sea, * 1.29 and other Waters abound with the variety of Fish, particularly one sort call'd Huygen, in shape like Carps, being of a very pleasant taste.

Rough Mullets, Lobsters, Breams, and Crabs, of a large size.

Mussles also among the Rocks, and great and small Oysters with Pearls in them.

In Table-Bay, and thereabouts, play many Whales, and other great Fishes.

Bottle-heads, out of which may be boyl'd Train-Oyl as well as out of Whales.

The People which dwell about, and near the Cape of Good Hope, * 1.30 are of a mid∣dle Stature, Slouch-body'd, and uncomely of Person; of a Tawny colour, like Mulletto's: But those about Flesh-Bay are somewhat smaller. The Hair of their Heads in general resembles Lambs Wool, short and Curl'd, but the Womens thicker than the Mens, especially among the Cobona's. They have broad Fore∣heads, but wrinkled, clear and black Eyes, but all, both Men, Women, and Children, have Camosie-Noses, and blab-Lips. Their Mouthes well fashion'd, and bearing a proportionable bigness every way, with very clean and white Teeth. Their Necks are of an ordinary length, with narrow Shoulders, and long Arms, but about the Wrists very thin, their Hands well shaped, their

Fingers long, letting their Nails grow like Eagles Talons, which they count an Ornament. Most of them have their Bellies long and wrinkled, with But∣tocks sticking out. Their Legs handsom, but small Calves, little Feet, especi∣ally the Women. They are swift of Foot, and so strong, that some can stop an Ox in his full course.

The Women are little of Stature, especially among the Cochoqua's, or Saldan∣hars: and some cut their Faces, as if they were drawn with a Pencil. The Married Women are so great Breasted, that they can give them into the Mouthes of their Children to Suck behind over their Shouldets, where they commonly carry them.

All the Kaffers are void of Literature, * 1.31 stupidly dull and clownish, and in understanding are more like Beasts than Men: but some by continual con∣verse with European Merchants, shew a few sparks or glimmerings of an incli∣nation to more humanity.

Notwithstanding this their bruitish ignorance, they observe the Laws and Customs of the Countrey with as much seriousness and observance, as the most orderly People in Europe; as a proof whereof you may take this Instance: In the Year Sixteen hundred fifty nine, when the Cape-men happen'd to be at ods and controversie with the Netherlanders, being asked what cause they had for that Quarrel; gave for answer, that it was onely in return of the wrong done them by the Netherlanders, in taking away their Seed and Lands, as before we have more fully related.

In kindness and fidelity towards their Neighbors, * 1.32 they shame the Dutch, and all other Europeans, because whatsoever one hath, they willingly and readi∣ly impart it to others, be it little or much.

Sometimes by eating the Root Dacha, mixed with Water, they become Drunk, and then go about, not knowing what they do; others constrain'd by poverty, seek here and there to take what they can find from any body; but if it happen to come to light, their Skin must pay dear for it.

There appears also among them some sparks of Pride: for when they come to the Fort of Good Hope, they cast on their filthiest, greaziest, and most stinking Skins, and adorn their Ears and Necks with red and yellow Copper Beads, supposing themselves exceeding pompously dressed.

Notwithstanding the meanness and poverty of their Condition, yet they bear a high mind, and are ambitious; they will rather fall to open enmity, than * 1.33 bow or give any reverence to each other; and he that gets the Victory, doth not onely play the Lord for that one time, but always vaunts and braves it over his vanquished Enemy.

Their Clothing is very sordid, * 1.34 and vile, most of the Men wearing onely a Sheeps Pelt, or Badgers Skin, in manner of a Mantle about their Shoulders, with the hairy side commonly within, and ty'd under their Chin.

Such a Mantle consists of three Pieces, neatly sew'd together with Sinews of Beasts in stead of Threed. When they go abroad, or upon a Journey, they throw another Sheeps-skin, with the Wool on the out-side, over the under∣most. Upon their Heads they wear a Cap of Lamb-skin, with the Woolly side inward, and a Button on the top.

Their Shoes are made of a Rhinocerot's Skin, and consists of a whole flat Piece, before and behind of a like heighth, with a Cross of two Leather∣bands fasten'd to their Feet. Before their Privacies hangs a little piece of a wild Wood-Cat, or ring-streaked Tyger, or Jack-alls Skin, ty'd behind with two Thongs.

[illustration]

DRACHT en WAPENING der HOTTENTOTS.

The Habit of the Women differs little from the former, * 1.35 being a Sheep-skin Mantle on the upper part of their Bodies, with the Wool inwards; but some∣what longer than the Men; also another Skin hanging behind to cover their back-parts, and a square Piece before their Privacies.

On their Heads they wear a high Cap of a Sheeps, or Badgers Skin, bound to their Heads with a broad Fillet: In all the rest following the Mens Garb.

No less uncomely are their choycest Ornaments, for the Men have their Hair dressed up, or adorn'd with Copper-plates, white little Horns, and great Beads. They pull all the Hair out of their Chins, and daub their Faces with Black, and then anoint them with Grease and Tallow, and thereby seem as if they never were washed.

Those which dwell close by the Cape on the Shore, and come to the Nether∣landers Ships, presently run to the Cook's Kettle, or Pottage-pot, and anoint themselves with the Soot thereof, which they esteem a Princely Ornament.

Such as are rich, and have good stocks of Cattel, liquor the out-side of their Mantles and Caps with Grease; whereas the Poor wear them starved and un∣liquor'd. Also most of the Princes and Kings, and Kings Daughters, parti∣cularly the King of Cocoquas, his Vice-Roy, and Daughter Mamis, wear fat be∣smear'd Skins. In their Ears they hang great bunches of Beads, of which some contain ten or eleven Strings, each weighing near a quarter of a Pound. A∣bout their Necks they put red and yellow Copper Chains, or Bracelets of Beads, and upon their Arms Ivory Armlets, and forwards near the Wrists, Bracelets of Copper, which stick so close, that it makes their Arms sore, and sometimes come to ulcerate before they will lay them off.

Many of them wear as an Ornament, the Guts of Beasts, fresh and stink∣ing, drawn two or three times one through another, about their Necks, and the like about their Legs.

Some wear a sort of Roots gather'd from the bottoms of Rivers, which in their Journeys through Woods, where Lyons, Leopards, and Wolves fre∣quent, by the Fire side (which they kindle at the Place where they stay all night, for the driving away wild Beasts) they chew into little bits, and spit out of their Mouthes round about, with firm perswasion, that there is such vertue in them, as no Beast can endure the smell of it.

When they go abroad they have usually an Ostrich Feather, or a Staff, with a wild Cats Tail ty'd to it, in one Hand, in stead of a Handkerchief to wipe their Eyes and Noses, and beat away the Dust, Sand, and Flies, and in the other Hand a sleight Javelin.

The Women never go abroad without a Leather Sack at their backs, ha∣ving at each end a Tuft or Tassel, and fill'd with one trifle or another.

Their Weapons, or Arms, are Bowes and Arrows, and small Darts, three, four, or five Foot long, having at one end a broad sharp Iron fixed, which they handle and throw very dexterously.

Their Food consists generally of onely a sort of round Roots, * 1.36 of the bigness of Turnips, digg'd out of the Rivers and other places, and then boyl'd or roast∣ed to eat. They kill no great Cattel, but such as either by sickness, lameness, or age, are unfit to follow the Herd; nor any Sheep, except at a Wedding. They are utterly ignorant in all sorts of Cookery, and therefore fall upon dead Cattel like Dogs, eating it with Guts and Intrails, the Dung onely thrust out; and when they can find no defunct Beast, they look out dead Fish on the Shore;

[illustration]

as also Snails, Catterpillars, and Mussles. They find great relish in the Flesh of Sea-Dogs, or Badgers, which they kill in the Night, coming by thousands on Shore, with Sticks, and either raw, or half cold, and unwashed, they broyl in the Fire, and eat; not forbearing the most noysom Grease of Whales and other Draff cast on Shore. Train-Oyl, and Grease of a Stranded Whale at the Salt-River, broyl'd out by the Sun, they sup up by whole handfuls, and cut Collops out of the Flesh, which they bury under the Sand to eat after∣wards. Some time they tear pieces of their dry'd hard Sheeps-skin Mantles or Cloaks, with their Teeth, and eat it.

They take great delight in our Bread, for which they are willing to barter Cattel. The Honey found in the Woods they eat up Wax an all; and in stead of Physick administer to the Sick, Cabbages, Coleworts, and Mustard-Leaves, with a little beaten Lard boyl'd with it.

Their common Drink is Water, * 1.37 or Mille; but they are very greedy of Bran∣dy or Spanish Wine, as also of Tobacco, but quickly become Drunk with it.

They use no Trades, Handicrafts, or Arts; with Bulrushes make Mats, wherewith they cover their Houses; they Forge the sharp Heads of their Lan∣ces being Iron; in the doing whereof they use onely a Stone and Hammer, making it malleable with Wood-Coals.

The Goringhaica's dwelling by the Cape, * 1.38 employ themselves in Fishing, which they sell to the Netherlanders for Bread and Tobacco. Most of the other have no skill therein, nor any Vessels to go out to Sea, so that in all Journeys they go by Land, and on Foot. In stead of Horses they have great Oxen, who carry their Goods and Commodities from one place to another, which they lead and guide with a Stick thrust through their Noses, as with a Bridle.

The Cochoqua's, or Saldanhars, are a kind of Herdsmen, and live by keeping of Cattel, whereof they have above an hundred thousand Head, all very fair, be∣sides as many Sheep. The like do the Cariguriqua's and Hosaa's: None amongst them all Sowe, or Plant, but onely the Heusaqua's. When they perceive any

wild Beasts in the Night, whether Elephants, Elans, Rhinocerots, Lyons, Ty∣gers, Bucks, or Horses, then all the stoutest Men run forth, and make a great noise to fright them away. But if by day any devouring wild Beast appear, then all that can carry Arms go forth, every one provided with two or three Assagays, or Lances, and encompassing the same with extraordinary outcries and shoutings, they let fly their Darts, and Shoot, as at a Mark to wound and kill him.

When a person falls in Love with a Maid, he desires of his Father, * 1.39 that he may Marry her, who consenting, he goes to the Father and Mother of the Maid, entreating the same: and when the Parents grant his Suit, the Daughter receives, and as a sign of her acceptance, and in confirmation of the Marriage, she puts about his Neck, not a Gold Chain, but a fat Cows Chitterling, which he must wear till it drop off. Then two of the fattest Sheep are sought out of the whole Flock, and kill'd, part of whose Flesh being boyl'd, and part of it roasted, none may eat but the Marry'd couple and their Parents; and with∣out this Ceremony the Marriage would not be accounted lawful. The Skins cut in small pieces, and the Hair taken off, then beaten upon a Stone, and so laid on hot Coals, they eat with a very great appetite. This pitiful Feast end∣ed, the solemnity of the Wedding is over.

As to their constancy in Love, they are as in other places, some quickly nauseating the ties of Marriage, while others observe it with a most affectio∣nate strictness. For the manifesting of the constancy and true Love amongst some of these Salvages, we will give you two remarkable Stories, the one of a Widow, which through excess of grief and sorrow for the death of her Hus∣band, leapt into a Pit full of Wood, set it on fire, and burnt her self to death: the other of a young Maid, which for grief threw her self down from a Rock, because her Parents had caus'd her Lover to be severely whipt with Thorns, for Lying with her against their consents.

Whether by the goodness of the Air, or the natural strength of their Consti∣tutions, these People attain so great an age, as generally they do, remains a doubt; but this is certain, that most of them live to eighty, ninety, or a hun∣dred, and some to a hundred and ten, twenty, or more years.

They bury their Dead sitting in a deep Pit stark naked, * 1.40 throwing the Earth upon their Heads with a great heap of Stones over all, to preserve the Corps from being raked out of the Grave by wild Beasts.

When a Man or Woman dies, * 1.41 all the Friends to the third degree of Consan∣guinity, must by an antient custom cut off the little Finger of their left Hand, to be bury'd with the Dead in the Grave; but if the Deceased had in his Life any Cattel, and leaves some Relations to whom they might come by Inheri∣tance, they must cut off a Joynt from each little Finger before they can take the Cattel: for the Sick cannot giveaway the least thing on his Death-bed, from those to whom it falls by Inheritance.

As soon as any one falls sick, those about him fetch one skill'd in Herbs, who with a sharp two-edged Knife lets them blood on their Back, then burns them on their Arms, with a red hot Iron, and drops thereon some Juyce of Herbs, with new boyl'd sweet Milk: And if this work not a Cure, they give them over for Dead.

Those which rob in the Day, if they be catcht in it, are beaten by the King, or Choeque himself with a Stick, without other punishment; but those which Rob in the Night, receive upon discovery a more severe punishment

in this manner inflicted. The Offender is first for a whole day tied Hand and Foot, being neither allowed Meat or Drink: On the second day some of the Eldest go to the Coehque, to ask if they shall proceed in the Execution, which is done without any Condemnation or Tryal, but not without sufficient Te∣stimony; whereupon the King, with a great Train of People following him, comes to a Tree, where he commands the Offender to be brought before him, whom they bind to the Tree, and very severely whip all over his Body, that the Blood runs down to his Feet. After this, being turned with his Face to∣wards the King, a sort of Gum, or Rozin, melted in a Pot, is poured over his naked Body, from his Neck running down upon his Breast, so that the Skin immediately peels off; then they let him loose, and give him some Meat, wherewith a little refresh'd, they tie him again Neck and Heels, and so leave him three days: And lastly, after the enduring all this pain, he is sometimes banish'd, and thrust from their Society.

When any are found in Fornication, * 1.42 the Parents force them to Marry imme∣diately, if they have a competency of Estate: But if that cannot be effected, then they wait to know if the Woman be with Child; and then they enforce a Conjunction, though the Person be so mean that he cannot maintain a Wife.

When any Person, Rich or Poor, is discover'd to have committed Incest, they believe such People cannot be punished enough, because they say it is an unpardonable offence; and this from the meer Light of Nature: And there∣fore they punish the Transgressors with death; the manner this.

First of all the Man hath his Hands and his Feet drawn together with a Cord, * 1.43 and so put into a Tub till the next day, and the Woman set by it. The second day they take him out, and so Manacled set him under a Tree, fastning his Head to a strong Bough, which one pulls and holds down; then they cut off one Member after another: Afterwards they let the Bough spring up again, with the mangled Body upon it, for a Spectacle to other Evil-doers.

The Man thus dead, they bring forth the Woman, whom bound round about with many dry Shrub-Bavins, her Hands and Feet tied fast together, they set Fire to the Bushes, and so burn her to Ashes.

A little above five years ago it hapned that a certain Person, a great Friend and Acquaintance of the Coehques, or King of the Saldanhars, committed Incest; yet for all that, without respect to his Person, he did Justice upon him.

If any Man of Wealth and Quality, * 1.44 or reputed Wise, through fury or rage stab or wound another to death, they take him and beat his Brains out against a Tree, and put him into the Grave with the murdered Person; for they say, Such a Person being endued with more Understanding, ought to know better, and to give a good Example to others: Whereas on the other side, poor sim∣ple People are permitted to ransom their Lives by a Payment of Cattel. Some, for Offences which deserve Death, have their Knees nail'd through, and an Iron Pin fast driven into each Shoulder, so dying a lingring death.

They live like the Arabians, * 1.45 in the Fields, in Huts made of slender crooked Poles, set round and cover'd with Bulrush-Mats: Some of these are so large, that conveniently ten or twenty Men, with Women and Children, may dwell in one of them; though others are much less, and some so small, that they can take them up, and run away with them. The Fire-place lieth in the midst of the House; but they make no Funnels to carry up the Smoke.

They kindle Fire with an excellent dexterity, by rubbing one little hollow∣ed Stick upon another very hard for a great space.

All these Hottentots speak one and the same Language, * 1.46 which for the diffi∣culty of the pronunciation cannot be learn'd, to the great retarding and hin∣derance of further Discoveries. In all Discourse they cluck like a Broody Hen, seeming to cackle at every other Word: So that their Mouths are almost like a Rattle or Clapper, smacking, and making a great noise with their Tongues.

Some words they know not how to utter, but with very much ado, and they seem as if they fetch'd it out behind, at the bottom of their Throats, and as the People in Savoy that live near the Alps, who by drinking Snow-water have great Crops or Swellings under their Chins. Brokwa in their Language sig∣nifies Bread, Kahou denotes to sit down, Bou is an Ox, Ba, a Sheep, and Kori, Iron: But now many of them which dwell close to the Fort of Good Hope, by daily Converse with the Netherlanders, speak Dutch; as some who have been with the English in Bantam, stammer some broken English.

They have no inclination to Trading, * 1.47 neither hold they any Correspon∣dence with Foreign People. iron and Copper were the onely Commodi∣ties desired by them; the former for Arms, the other for Ornament; both which they so esteemed, that in a Voyage to the Indies, in the year Fifteen hun∣dred ninety five, the Dutch had in Barter with these People, for a Cutting-knife, a fair Ox; for a Bar of Iron of seventy pounds, broken into five pieces, two Oxen and three Sheep; for one Hook-knife, one Bill, one Ax, one short Iron Bolt, and some pieces of Iron, three Oxen and five Sheep; and for a Knife, one Sheep. But at this day, grown wiser by Converse, and the abundance of Commodities carried thither, they prize their Cattel at a much higher rate, and their former fair dealing is not now found amongst them.

Tobacco, Brandy, and Copper, they chiefly desire at present; but the yel∣lower the better: So that for four pieces of Copper, as big as the Palm of ones Hand, and a piece of Tobacco, they usually buy two Cows.

Some of these People have Elective, others Successive Kings or Governors; * 1.48 but all their Powers not able to make above four or five thousand Men, and those living dispersedly in several Plantations, far distant from each other.

Religion is an absolute stranger among all these Salvages, * 1.49 insomuch that they never worshipped either God or Devil; yet they say and believe there is a Divine Power, which they call Humma, which causeth Rain, Winds, Heat, and Cold; but will not worship him, because he sends sometimes too much Heat and Drowth, and another time an overflux of Rain, contrary to their desires.

Secondly, They imagine, that they can stop the Rain, and allay the Wind at their pleasure. First, To cause Rain to cease, they lay a small Cole of Fire on a Chip, in a little Hole digged in the Ground; and upon that Hole they lay a Lock of Hair pull'd from their Heads, and cover up the Hole with Sand; when the Hair begins to stink, then they make Water upon it, and so run away shrieking. To lay the Winds, they hold one of the greasiest Skins upon a long Stick aloft in the Air, till the Wind has blown down the Skin; and then vainly think the power of the Wind smothered thereby.

When the New Moon begins first to be discerned, they commonly in great Companies turn themselves towards it, and spend the whole night in great joy, with Dancing, Singing, and Clapping of Hands.

They have a Musical Instrument, made with a String like a Bowe, and a split Quill at the end, which being blowed yields a low sound.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Heusaqua's.
• * 1.2

  Maintain themselves by planting the Root Dacha.
• * 1.3

  Cabo de Bona Esperanza, or Cape of Good Hope.
• * 1.4

  Cabo das Aiguilhas, or Needle-Cape.
• * 1.5

  Cabo Falso, or False Cape.
• * 1.6

  Table-Mountain, or Ta∣ble-Cape.
• * 1.7

  Fragosos.
• * 1.8

  Lion-Mountain.
• * 1.9

  Wind-Mountain.
• * 1.10

  Soldanha-Bay. Memoires de Thomas Roe.
• * 1.11

  Table-Bay.
• * 1.12

  The Fort or strength of the Netherland West-India Company.
• * 1.13

  Flesh-Bay.
• * 1.14

  Fish-Bay.
• * 1.15

  Muscle-Bay.
• * 1.16

  Faire-Bay.
• * 1.17

  Rio de Santo Christian.
• * 1.18

  Rivers.
• * 1.19

  Sweet-Rivers.
• * 1.20

  Air.
• * 1.21

  Wind.
• * 1.22

  Plants.
• * 1.23

  The Cape-Tulip.
• * 1.24

  Sea-Plants.
• * 1.25

  Cattel.
• * 1.26

  Fowls.
• * 1.27

  Pinguyns.
• * 1.28

  Flamengo's.
• * 1.29

  Fishes.
• * 1.30

  The Constitution of the Kaffers, or Hottentots.
• * 1.31

  They are Unlearned.
• * 1.32

  They are kind and faith∣ful.
• * 1.33

  a Like our Quakers.
• * 1.34

  The Clothing of the Men.
• * 1.35

  The Habit of the Wo∣men.
• * 1.36

  Food.
• * 1.37

  Drink.
• * 1.38

  Employment.
• * 1.39

  Marriage.
• * 1.40

  Funerals.
• * 1.41

  Inheritance.
• * 1.42

  Incest.
• * 1.43

  How they are punish'd.
• * 1.44

  Punishment for killing and wounding.
• * 1.45

  Their Houses.
• * 1.46

  Language.
• * 1.47

  Trade.
• * 1.48

  Government.
• * 1.49

  Religion.