Page:George McCall Theal, Ethnography and condition of South Africa before A.D. 1505 (2nd ed, 1919).djvu/139

Rh amount of information upon their customs, in reply to the following questions which he put to them:

What laws have the Namaquas?

They have none, they only listen to their chiefs.

In the old times used they to sow any grain, or had they gardens?

No; they did nothing of the sort—not before the missionaries showed them how to sow and plant.

What could the Namaquas make before the missionaries came to the Great river?

They could soften skins for their karosses, sew them together with sinews; make bows, arrows, assagais, and small axes; bambus for milk; and could weave rush mats.

What is the principal occupation of the men?

Hunting.

How are the women employed?

They put up the mat huts, soften skins, weave mats, and prepare the victuals. If they decline work they get the strap.

How is a chief chosen?

The eldest son of the last chief is selected.

How do the chiefs choose their wives?

Anyhow; from their own place, or from that of their neighbours.

How much is paid for a wife commonly?

From ten oxen to ten sheep, to the father of the girl; and if she is an orphan, her brother gets the amount of her price.

Is circumcision practised in Namaqualand?

No, not at all.

Do the people know anything of the stars?

Nothing.

Who is the greatest hunter here?

When a lion has to be killed, the chief must go out and endeavour to destroy it.

Where did the Namaquas first get iron?

We think we got it from the east before we saw white men.