Metilulu Reviews his Troops—I Assist at a Hopo Battue.
As the warfare in which Metilulu’s warriors had been engaged was looked upon as very successful, the chief ordered a review to take place on the ensuing morning, when, as was customary, those who had done brave deeds were to be rewarded, while those who, on the contrary, had proved themselves unworthy of being ranked among soldiers, were to receive due punishment. This was the first review I had seen, strangers seldom being allowed to be present at them, but my long sojourn in the kraal made this rule waved in my case, for I had indeed become almost as one of themselves, therefore I was permitted to be a spectator.
Like in our own affairs of the same kind, all the warriors assembled, each taking his right position in the ranks, but here they did so in perfect silence, while each placing his large shield on the ground upright before him, only permitted the upper part of his dark body to be seen. Thus they remained till it was Metilulu’s pleasure to make his appearance; and—for it seems the etiquette of great people in Caffraria, as well as in more civilised nations, to keep their inferiors waiting—fully an hour elapsed—the glaring sun blazing down all the time upon the poor fellows—before his pudgy majesty waddled upon the field, followed by his chief counsellor, and servants bearing the never-failing beer-jar and snuff, while one held a shield, which on such occasions was converted into a species of umbrella, to be held over the little man’s head to shade him from the sun; and Zenuta told me that woe would betide the bearer of it if he let a single beam of the luminary of the day rest upon the chief’s black skin, such negligence being severely punished—even occasionally by death when the royal personage happened to be in a bad humour.
Metilulu’s chair having been placed in an advantageous position, and his counsellors congregated about him, the august chief was so overcome by fatigue, owing to his unusual exertion, that he had to have recourse both to the beer and snuff to recruit his strength before commencing the review; then, I suppose, feeling stronger, he ordered the cattle taken from the enemy to be marched before him. There was a pretty considerable number, and I watched Metilulu’s eyes twinkle with delight as he beheld them. Suddenly he pointed to one, then to another, and, as the sign was made, with the speed of light, a Kaffir had sprung forward, and, with unerring aim, pierced the animal indicated by the chief to the heart.
Surprised at this summary destruction of the beloved cattle, I asked Tugela, who was standing by me, the reason, and learned that these were to feast Metilulu’s guests, for after a fortunate expedition he always treated the warriors handsomely. As the eyes of the remainder of the cattle rested upon their fallen companions, and their nostrils scented the blood, a panic seemed to seize them, for, lowing wildly, they dashed forward in all directions, and it was as much as their keepers could do to head them in, and get them all safely back to the isibaya.
When this was over, and all made ready, the ceremony of pointing out the “ama-doda,” or men and the “boys” who had proved themselves worthy of their chief’s approval, commenced. This is a trying time for the regiment, but a proud one to those who are conscious they have fought well. Those “boys” who have done their best look eagerly forward to receive the title of ama-doda, and become the bearer of a white shield; while those whose courage has failed them in the hour of battle secretly tremble in their feathers—not having shoes—at the possible, if not inevitable result. Stepping forward, the head warrior presented his report to Metilulu, who, on receiving it, uttered the names of those worthy of praise aloud. As each was pronounced, the assembled Kaffirs repeated it at the top of their voices, while they indicated with outstretched arm the fortunate soldier. The latter, to my eyes, appeared to have gone frantic with joy; for, with leaps only to be seen in Caffraria or in a circus, he sprang from the ranks and commenced executing the most peculiar antics, denoting extreme pleasure, I had ever witnessed. His springs were wondrous. He kicked up his heels, ran, and jumped, all the time flourishing his assagais and shield in such a manner that I should have felt my head in danger had I been in close proximity to him.
By this time three or four others had been specified, and were going through the same feats as the first—doing it with such a power and energy that the oil actually ran from their dark bodies in little streams. After having performed most of their military evolutions, with a bound the happy warriors leaped back into the ranks, and resumed their former rigid attitude.
The scene was so eccentric that it occasioned me much amusement, and had it ended here it would have been well enough; but now, the brave having been rewarded, the cowards had to be punished. These were pointed out without any shouting, and, as each was named, instant execution followed, without a murmur on the victim’s part. One who, I suppose, had either been a very great coward, or the head warrior had a spite against him, was barbarously beaten to death by knob-kerries. The bodies of these, not being considered worthy of the rites of sepulture, were dragged into the bush, and left there to become the meals of hyenas and jackals, who speedily would leave nothing visible but the bones to whiten in the sun.
This over, the paid minstrels of the tribes appeared, who, approaching, sung their great chief’s praises, using every title that had been given him during his life for any prowess, or names he had chosen for himself,—mostly those of animals. After which all the warriors defiled passed Metilulu, who was dressed in his most ceremonious costume of feathers and leopard tails, etc, no doubt to inspire respect and awe, each Kaffir as he went by bowing profoundly and lowering his shield and assagais to the ground.