This rite is performed on the boys at puberty, and is partly civil, in that it introduces boys to the rights of manhood; and partly religious in that it imposes on them the responsibility of [[111]]conforming to all the rights and ceremonies of their superstition.
It is performed by one of the old men of the tribe by cutting. The instrument used being by no means sharp; but the wish to be, or appear a man, prevents signs of suffering. The hemorrhage is stopped by application of astringent juices mixed with clay; or in some tribes by winding from the point of the glans up round the penis a long strip of pliable goat skin, which article is afterwards much valued and carefully preserved.
A number of youths from the same kraal are done at the same time, and during the healing process are set apart from their fellows in a locality some distance from the kraals, where they must provide for themselves in every way. They are then called “Abakweta” and keep many restrictions and observances, which I do not propose to describe here, suffice it to say that when the soreness passes off, they are allowed unlimited licence, and as a consequence the rite has very much degenerated into an unthinkably immoral custom. Free love with the Abakweta not being considered improper amongst the young women and “Intonyane.” [[112]]
Conclusion.
The foregoing pages prove, I think, to us that the Kaffir races, as represented by their “Amagqira,” possess no mean amount of knowledge of disease and its treatment, and their extensive use of herbs show in an astonishing degree, the valuable information which the tribes possess of the therapeutic actions and uses of the vegetable kingdom as it exists in those parts of the country which they inhabit.
FINIS
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