Swazi Tribes Observe Wild Harvest Orgy

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 690, 15 June 1929, Page 27

Swazi Tribes Observe Wild Harvest Orgy

Educated Chief Keeps Up Ancient Custom

JUNGLE USAGES PERSIST

Clattering tom-toms, black witch doctors and screeching naked African warriors who thumped their spears against shields of ox-hide —these were features of the pageant just enacted at a royal kraal in Swaziland, where Chief Sobhuza 11. rules his tribesmen, says the special correspondent of the “San Francisco Chronicle.” The yearly harvest festival, by which the savages try to induce the gods to bestow good crops for an-

other season, was the event. From the remotest hut in Sobhuza’s semiindependent kingdom long files of natives tramped to the main settlement of Swaziland. This little country is slightly smaller than New Jersey, and in the classification of British possessions ranks as a “native protectorate.” Although the Union of South Africa lies around it, the territory remains under the black man’s control. It hasn’t a mile of railroad and the largest town, “Mbabame,” has a white population of 260. About 150,000 Swazies (counted as the handsomest Bantu race) inhabit the region and, save for certain cults involving human sacrifices and indiscriminate tribal warfare, the original customs of the people remain in use. Rules Under British Control Sobhuza 11. is an intelligent and fairly educated native who has been in Europe on a trip involving a legal appeal from the courts of South Africa to the English Privy Council. Much in the same way that the Indian Rajahs control their domain, this Chief rules under the supervision of white officials, who see that there are none of the cruelties in which the old-time monarehs indulged. Apart from this and from the not too successful toil of missionaries, Swaziland’s residents keep up ancestral habits. Their recent harvest festival was typical. The ritual dancers did their stunts to the booming chants of men and women squatting beside their straw huts in excited clusters while the “Rain Doctor” mouthed his spells in order that the clouds might presently sprinkle moisture. Several bulls were pommelled to death by the fists of braves, who had been worked into recklessness by the maddening taps of African drums. This blood offering is in accordance with one of the most venerable African jungle usages. A small company of Europeans was at the kraal while it happened, and every honour and respect was paid to the white men. Grandmother of Chief In these ceremonies Sobhuza’s aged grandmother, Labotsebeni, has a prominent part. All Africa, black or European, know r s this strange woman, who, thousands of natives believe, has the power of bringing rain in times of drought. She is very old, but in Swazi affairs here voice counts almost more than Sobhuza’s. Caravans with presents arrive by the dozen whenever the continent suffers a drought. Many come hundreds of miles to hand over gifts of ivory, cattle, ornaments and money as an Inducement to the old lady to exert her powers. She is by far the richest black woman in Africa. Several hundred thousand dollars in gold are buried somewhere in the kraal, but no native even dares to look for it.

Despite its present savagery, Swaziland is certain to have a good future. Its 3,000 European settlers are prosperous and, although they have no railroad, motor-bus and truck services serve present needs. The area is rich in tin and gold, and the Government has lately thrown open the whole land to prospectors. As soon as the Colonial Office in London authorises it this little State will enter the Union.