Ethnological Survey of a South African Tribe

Abstract

IN her able introduction to this work, Mrs. Hoernle points out with regret that no adequate monograph on any of the South African tribes has been written during all the years in which black and white have been in contact in that subcontinent. This regret will be shared by many, and it may, moreover, be considered as remarkable evidence of a failure to realise that the natives of South Africa have been and still are the greatest asset which the country possesses for it is mainly by the help of their brawn that the present stage of prosperity has been achieved, and thus careful study of their life history is essential. It is true that Callaway wrote of the Zulus, Lagden of the Basutos, and Stow of the native races but for all that, Mrs. Hoernle's contention is correct. The only two works dealing with the natives of the southern half of the continent which are comparable with Dr. Stayt's monograph are Smith and Dale's “Ba-Ila” and Junod's “Life of a South African Tribe” but the subjects of both of these works live outside the Union of South Africa. Dr. Stayt's work comes as a revelation, for, as an occasional visitor to South Africa, one felt that owing to long-continued disintegration of the tribes it would probably be impossible to gather up the threads and construct a real picture of the indigenous culture of any native tribe in that area. The author has, however, been fortunate enough to discover that the Ba-Venda, living as they do in the valleys of the Zoutpansberg Range of the North Transvaal, have tenaciously preserved their ancient traditions and culture up to present times. The Bavenda. By Dr. Hugh A. Stayt. (Published for the International Institute of African Languages and Cultures.) Pp. xviii + 392 + 48 plates. (London: Oxford University Press, 1931.) 30s. net.