Instrument made with a number of thick corn-stalks sewn together, as
a sansa frame, and keys of split bamboo, which, though making but
little sound, seems to soothe the player himself. When the
instrument is played with a calabash as a sounding board, it emits a
greater volume of sound. Pieces of shells and tin are added to make
a jingling accompaniment, and the calabash is also ornamented.
After we had passed up, a party of slaves, belonging to the two
native Portuguese who assassinated the chief, Mpangwe, and took
possession of his lands at Zumbo, followed on our footsteps, and
representing themselves to be our "children," bought great quantities
of ivory from the Bawe, for a few coarse beads a tusk. They also
purchased ten large new canoes to carry it, at the rate of six
strings of red or white beads, or two fathoms of grey calico, for
each canoe, and, at the same cheap rate, a number of good-looking
girls.
CHAPTER VII.
The Victoria Falls of the Zambesi - Marvellous grandeur of the
Cataracts - The Makololo's town - The Chief Sekeletu.
During the time we remained at Motunta a splendid meteor was observed
to lighten the whole heavens. The observer's back was turned to it,
but on looking round the streak of light was seen to remain on its
path some seconds. This streak is usually explained to be only the
continuance of the impression made by the shining body on the retina.
This cannot be, as in this case the meteor was not actually seen and
yet the streak was clearly perceived. The rays of planets and stars
also require another explanation than that usually given.
Fruit-trees and gigantic wild fig-trees, and circles of stones on
which corn safes were placed, with worn grindstones, point out where
the villages once stood. The only reason now assigned for this fine
country remaining desolate is the fear of fresh visitations by the
Matebele. The country now slopes gradually to the west into the
Makololo Valley. Two days' march from the Batoka village nearest the
highlands, we met with some hunters who were burning the dry grass,
in order to attract the game by the fresh vegetation which speedily
springs up afterwards. The grass, as already remarked, is excellent
for cattle. One species, with leaves having finely serrated edges,
and of a reddish-brown colour, we noticed our men eating: it tastes
exactly like liquorice-root, and is named kezu-kezu. The tsetse,
known to the Batoka by the name "ndoka," does not exist here, though
buffaloes and elephants abound.
A small trap in the path, baited with a mouse, to catch spotted cats
(F. Genetta), is usually the first indication that we are drawing
near to a village; but when we get within the sounds of pounding
corn, cockcrowing, or the merry shouts of children at play, we know
that the huts are but a few yards off, though the trees conceal them
from view.
