Butte Record

A Caffre Bridal Feast.

Scarcely had we taken our station near the Umbodie (husband.) when a low shrill chant came floating on the breeze from the bottom of a lovely vale hard by; where I discovered a long train of damsels, slowly wending their way amongst bright green patches of Indian corn and masses of flowering shrubs studded with giant cactus and huge flowering aloe. As the procession neared the huts, they quickened their pace and raised their voices to the highest pitch, till they arrived at the said cattle kraal, where they stood motionless and silent. Entering the habitation of the bridegroom the ladies formed two lines, with the bride in the centre, and struck up a lively air; whereupon the whole body of armed Caffres rushed from all parts of the kraal, beating their shields and uttering demon yells as they charged headlong at the smiling girls, who joined with the stalwart warriors in cutting capers and singing lustily, till the whole kraal was one confused mass of dancers, roaring out hoarse war songs and shrill love ditties. After an hour dancing ceased, and jella (Caffre beer) was served round, while the lovely bride stood in the midst of the ring alone, stared at by all and staring in turn at all, until she brought her eyes to bear on her admiring lord: then, advancing leisurely, she danced before him, amidst shouts of the bystanders, singing at the top of her voice, and brandishing a huge carving knife.