Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 4.djvu/217

 THE BA-KAIJIUABL 1A5 century the inhabitunts of this region were still cut off from all intercournc with the outer world, and hud never even heunl of the 8urrounding marine wuterN. When they heard travellers speak of the great ocean they gave it the name of Metsebula, that is, " Water that goes a-grazing," because the tides penetrate far inland, and then after a few hours retire from the seaboard. The Ba-Chwupeng, one of the re<luced tribes occupying the highland region to the north-east of Shoshong, have become famous for their skill as iron-workers. They mine the ores themselves in the surrounding deposits, and fabricate all kinds of implements employed throughout all the surrounding districts. They are also acquainted with the trees that yield the best fuel for smelting the ores, and reserve the iron that adheres longest to the charcoal for the manufacture of their hardest and sharpest axes. Hence they had arrived at a knowledge of steel before the arrival of the Europeans in the country. East of Shoshong, and not far from the banks of the Limpojx), dwell the Ba- Silika people, who have hitherto resisted all attempts at subjugation. They owe their political independence partly to their central stronghold j)erclied on a bluff of difficult access, and partly also, if not mainly, to the impassable zone traced round this citadel by the tsetse fly. Their own herds are kept in upland valleys beyond the reach of this destructive pest ; but it is impossible for invaders to cross the intervening district with their cattle ; nor could they successfully carry off the Ba-8iliku herds, which would all perish while being driven across the infested zone. The Bechuanas are scattered in very thin groups throughout the western parts of the Protectorate, where springs are rare, and where for the greater part of the year the rivers are indicated only by stretches of dry sand. The few communities residing in this arid region take the collective name of Bu-Kaluhari, from the sur- rounding wilderness, but are also known by the designation of Ba-Lala, or " The Poor." In many districts they have intermingled with the Bushman aborigines ; but some of their tribes have kept aloof, preserving the racial purity as well as the pastoral and agricultural usages of their forefathers. Most of them, however, are unable to breed any animals except goats, which they water almost drop by drop at the dribbling springs. They obstinately cultivate their little garden plots, though the thirsty soil may yield them nothing but pumpkins and melons. The lions prowling about their kraals are often welcome guests, thanks to the half- gnawed carcases which they leave to the hunters. The full-bloo<l Ba- Kalahari trilies, although poor, are looked on as freemen. But, compared with the other Bechuanas, they occupy a subordinate position of vassalage, while those crossed with the Bushmen, and known as MaSarwa, or " Bad People," are considered as no better than slaves. The products of the chase and their very harvests belong by right to the Bechuana tribes adjoining their camping-grounds. They are required to present themselves two or three times a year at the villages of their masters, but are never allowed to enter the kraals during the day. They must remain at some distance from the settlement, pjitiently awaiting the order of the chief permitting them to approach. Nevertheless, these