SAVAGE TRIBES IN STRANGE LANDS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 25, 18 June 1892, Page 613

SAVAGE TRIBES IN STRANGE LANDS.

(SKK ERONTISriECKJ Thanks probably to Mr Rider Haggard no savage race possesses a greater interest for us than the Zulus, or Amazulus — People of the Heavens, to give them their full title. The name of the great chief Chaka who made the name of Zulu terrible is, thanks to Mr Haggard, familiar to our ears, though many will be surprised to hear that this same Chaka was almost as wonderful and every whit as wicked a man as the novelist has made him. Chaka gave his foes a choice only between utter submission and extermination. In cases of resistance he carried off the cattle and killed every other living thing—men, women, children, and infants. As a consequence of his conquests, which were enormous, the name of Zulu ceased to be merely tribal, and became a national designation. As illustrating the bloodthirstiness of this king's character it will suffice to mention that to secure himself on the tlnone he ordered all his children to be killed, and with his own hand stabbed his mother for having spared one of them alive. At present the Zulus are found in Natal, Cape Colony and other parts of South Africa. Physically they are a fine race, being tall, well made, and exceedingly active. They are fonder of fighting than anything else in the world, and are apt to pine when they cannot indulge in this amusement. When not at war the Zulu spends his time hunting, talking —of which they are inordinately fond-singing, dancing, and smoking. The women do all the field work and build the huts, which are, as will be seen, built of straw. Every woman has a hut to herself. Wives are bought with cows, and the number of a man’s wives is only limited by his means. Cows are held in great esteem, and women are not held worthy to touch them. The men, therefore, do the milking. There is, as will be seen, some fine scenery in Zululand. Few of the rivers are navigable, owing to the great falls. In winter, which is the dry season, they dwindle into mere rivulets. In summer they are foaming torrents, and some of the waterfalls remind one of Niagara. NOW PUBLISHED ‘THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SIR GEORGE GREY.’ I’.Y W. L. AND LILY REES. The authors have had exceptional opportunities for gathering the facts of Sir George Grey’s remarkable career. Intimate personal communication with the ex-Govcrnor and statesman has enabled them to set out his remarkable figure in bold relief, and they have been able by direct reference to ascertain the inner history of many events of great historical importance, and to collect a large fund of interesting personal reminiscences. The book has been written in popular style and should command a very large sale. Orders should be forwarded at once. 11. BRETT. Publisher.