The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-08-19
4 Kaflir Marriage.

The wedding was at Il kraal about two
miles from the camp. Shall ever forget
that drive, as we ioltcd over stones and
''shavcd" an-hills, and bumped in and out
OF holes, the mules all the time going a, full
gaIlop, till we really expected that the cart
would turn over with us every momcn,
rs we approached the kraal, our ears were
greeted by the shric!is, wells and howls of
the wedding party; and, on surmounlng
Il ridge OF ground, we came upon Il com
pany all in 'full fly, " practicng one Of their
dances. The men wore large plumcS of
black feathers, which covered their heads
and hung down over their shoulders They
had shields covered with cow-hidc and
carried sticks, which they waved and bran
dislcd in a very warlkc manner. They
were continually in motion, stamping,
grunting and shouting, and ut last fell into
Il Kind OF procession, which moved ON to-
ward The krail, dancing all the way. Every
now and then some warrior, more than
usually excited, would burst from thrrnks,
and bound with high stepping action,
several yards in advance. lie would then
stop, and with queer antics and strange
gyrations, would 60 through the motions of
killing his antagonists, continuing them
amidst the paudis 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 OuldO him. The
two sisters of the bride, elegantly atiircd in
few rows OF green, white and pink beads,
accompanied this ioviul crew, shricking and
racing about rs If possessed. The father of
the bride was there, too, dist siinguislilc
from the other "bravGs' by the extra length
OF his lail of feathers, which hung from The
top OF his head and reached all down his
Dack rs this interesting company pro-
ccctlcd. they were met by women in pairs,
all dressed q alike in the same charming
simplicity, who ran to meet them, screaming
at the Top of their voices and making Il most
peculiar trcmulous sllrill noise, which re-
minded me more of "nci1rhing' than any
thing else. These fell into The ranks, as
dld large company Of young girls and
children, who all rushed to meet the pro-
ccSson, yelling as loud rs they could and
appearing to he mad with excitement. The
whole body then advanced at majestic
sort OF pace, all taking one step forward at
The same moment, raising their shields,
giving stamp and Il yell, and so on till
they got to sort of parade ground in front
oi 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 othc mannuvcrs, accom-
panyiifg themselves ~ song, which con-
sisted in tho perpetual rcilcration of three
notes in minor key. J. have asccrtancd
that this tune Is the same which is used by
them on all similar occasions. The bride
surrounded by whole bevy of sisters and
sympathiZing friends, knclt on mat facng
the dancers and held a shield and knife in
her hand. Her dress conss cd of beads ar-
ranged with great taste, and her hair was
clahoratcly got up with the brass wire and
palm oil Of the period. But what enter
tanned lis the most was the blasr, contempt
tuols expression of her countcnancc, which
was evidently the highest mode for Kniir
brides to assume.