Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 4.djvu/291

 INHABITANTS OP OAZALAND. 297 the builders of Zirnbaby^ and the present rulers of Gazaland. Nevertheless the unanimous tradition of the natives is that the " Residence " had formerly been occupied by white people who " could do everything," Possibly the renowned Benomatapa, or " Emperor of Monorootapu " — that is to suy, the Muene Motapa, or " august lord " — who held sway over all the peoples of this region at the time of the arrival of the Portuguese on the east African seaboard, may have been descended from the kings who created the Zimbaby^ forts and the other struc- tures still scattered over the plateau and now mostly overgrown by forest growths. Possibly, also, the sacrifices which the surrounding aborigines still offer to the genii within the enclosure of these ruins may but perpetuate the tradition of the great feasts formerly celebrated by some potent sovereign. Mauch — who, however, speaks only on report, not having been himself present at these ceremonies — fancies they betray a great resemblance to the Jewish rites. Some remains of granite walls met here and there round about Zimbaby^ are said to be still designated by the name of " altars." All the structures that have subsequently been discovered in this region are invariably situated in the vicinity of gold mines.* The Zulus of Gazaland. Since the middle of the sixteenth century the Portuguese possessed establish- ments on the coast, which served as revictualling stations for their vessels on the long route between Lisbon and Goa. On several occasions they made expeditions to the interior, and especially towards the gold region of Manica ; and various works connected with mining operations attest their residence in districts fur removed from the seaboard. But it is evident that their enterprising spirit gradually waned, and till recently the sphere of their influence had been limited to the neighbourhood of Inbambane, Chiloane, and Sofala. But the nation is again bestirring itself, and active steps are now being taken to resume the effective possession of the domain that has been assigned to Portugal by the common con- sent of the European Powers. Nor can there be any doubt that these efforts will be crowned with success, thanks to the indirect support afforded to the Government by the immigrants, missionaries, traders, and gold-hunters. Nevertheless the true sovereign of the country is still the Eafir King of Gaza, a blood relation of the warlike Zulu chief Manikussa, who escaped in 1830 with thirty thousand followers from the oppressive rule of the terrible Cbaka, and who, retreat- ing northwards like the Matebeles, founded a new empire in this region. The territor}' whose inhabitants are at present tributary to the King of Gaza, is bounded on the south, near Louren^o Marques, by the course of the Nkomati, an affluent of the Maucissa, often confounded with the main stream. Northwards it extends as far as the Zambese, and on the west side is conterminous with the Matebele State. The political centre of the empire lies within the stronghold of inaccessible hills where the Buzi takes its source. Till recently the kraal where
 * J. Mackeiude, Seottith Qeograpkical Magiume, June, 1887.