Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-08-06
A kafiir Marriage.

The wedding was at kraal about two
miles from the camp. Shall ever forget
that drive, as we jolted over stones and
''shaved" ant-hills, and bumped in and out
of holes, the mules all the time going at full
gallop, till we really expected that the car,
would turn over with us every moment
As we approached the kraal, our ears were
greeted by the shrieks, yells and howls OF
the wedding party; and, on surmounting
ridge OF ground, We came upon a COM
pany allin full fig" practicing one of their
dances. The men wore large plumes of
black feathers, which covered their heads
and hung down over their shoulders. They
had shields covered with cow-hide, and
carried sticks, which they waved and bran
dished in a very warlike manner. They
were continually in motion, stamping,
grunting and shouting, and at last fell into
a kind of procession, which moved on to-
ward the kraal, dancing all the way Every
now and then some warrior, more than
usually excited, would burst from the ranks
and bound with g high stepping action,
several yards in advance. He would then
stop, and with queer antics and strange
gyrations, would go through the motions of
killing his antagonists, continuing them
amidst the plaudits of his companions till
they caught him up, when he would fall in,
only to be succeeded by an excited rival,
eager to equal if not to outdo him. The
two sisters of the bride, elegantly attired in
few rows of green, white and pink beads,
accompanied this jovial crew, shrieking and
racing about as if possessed. The father of
the bride was there, too, distinguishable
from the other ''braves' by the extra length
of his tail of feathers, which hung from the
top of his head and reached all down his
back. AS this interesting company pro-
ceeded, they were met by women in pairs,
all dressed % alike in the same charming
simplicity, who ran to meet them, screaming
at the top of their voices and making most
peculiar tremulous shrill noise, which re-
minded me more of ''neighing" than any
thing else. These fell into the ranks, as
did large company of young girls and
children, who all rushed to meet the pro-
cession, yelling as loud as they could and
TO be mad with excitement The
whole body then advanced at a majestic
sort of pace, all taking one step forward at
the same moment, raising their shields,
giving stamp and yell, and so on till
they got to a sort of parade ground in front
of the kraal, where they drew up in line
two or three deep and continued the stamp
ing and shouting, waving of arms, position
ing and all the other maneuvers, accom-
panying themselves by a song, which con-
sisted in the perpetual reiteration of three
notes in minor key. | have ascertained
that this tune Is the same which is used by
them on all similar occasions. The bride,
by whole bevy of sisters and
sympathizing friends, knelt on mat facing
the dancers and held a shield and knife in
her hand. Her dress consisted of beads ar
ranged with great taste, and her hair was
got up with the brass wire and
palm oil of the period. But what enter
tanned us the most was the blase, contemp-
tuous expression of her countenance, which
was evidently the highest mode for Kaffir
brides to assume.