Category: Mythology, Legends & Folklore
The Bantu race comprises one great family extending over all Central and South Africa, South of a line drawn roughly from the Kamerun to the Pokomo River, but excluding the South West corner—Great Namaqualand and Western Cape Colony—which from time immemorial has been occupied...
The Bantu race comprises one great family extending over all Central and South Africa, South of a line drawn roughly from the Kamerun to the Pokomo River, but excluding the Sout...
2. CHAPTER II.Before proceeding to enumerate and describe the diseases, as recognised by the natives, their cures and what the Kaffir believes to be their causes, there are several subjects t...
3. CHAPTER III.The Kaffirs have great faith in the power of their “Medicine man” and consult him on every possible event. They requisition his services for sickness and pain, and accident, for...
4. CHAPTER IV.In dealing with this subject I have as far as possible compiled information received from a large number of individuals, chiefly Native chiefs, educated Natives, Missionaries, &...
5. c. The leaves and shoots of (Um-pafa) wait-a-bit thorn tree, areTreatment:—a. The patient is steamed, dosed, and rubbed all over with wormwood (Unhlonyane), the dosing being very liberal. All intended to prevent the snake killing the man and...
6. c. Another method I have had described is to lance the temple, collectthe blood and having caught a hare and lanced its head between the ears, to rub the patient’s blood into the wound and let the hare go free, the spectators and patient not darin...
7. c. The powdered root of I-qwili (Alepidea amatymbica) is also used forPurgatives are used and sometimes injections. This is one of the diseases which lend themselves so well to the treatment of the Amagqira Awokuqubula or doctors who use massage a...
8. CHAPTER V.Fractures. The Kaffir Surgeon (Igqira Elokuqapula) is fairly expert in such cases and carries out a routine treatment. The usual drawing out of the limb is performed, replacing...
9. c. Swollen and inflamed wounds are poulticed with U-nomolwana (mallowleaves in paste), which soon reduces the inflammation or brings the abscess to a point. When the wound is cleaned in this way it is washed with a decoction of mallow leaves made...
10. d. Callous ulcers or slow healing wounds are treated by applying thejuice of the Isi-dikili (Lasiosiphon Meisneri), which acts as a pretty considerable irritant and answers its purpose admirably. It is also used internally in infusion as an alte...
11. i. An ointment made by boiling in lard the leaves of the Ubu-vumbaBurns. The following is a graphic description of the mode of treating burns, given me by a Fingo. It is certainly not a gentle one. Here is the case of a child who through carel...
12. c. The juice pressed from the leaves of U-watile (Hippobromus alata) isI should before describing the treatment, notice the curious fact that the native never wastes a snake. One seen is pursued till killed, then its gall bladder is emptied and the...
13. CHAPTER VI.Childbirth is an exceedingly simple process, as a rule with the Kaffir; a native woman only allowing it to interfere with her duties for a few hours. Abnormal labours are seldom...
14. c. The In-gcelwane (Bulbine latifolia) of which a decoction of the rootMenstruation. The first arrival of this, the average age being 14 years, is made the occasion of great ceremonies, which vary, however, greatly in different tribes, thus:—Amongs...