ABSTRACT

TΣOPI bark cloth was used of old in Gazaland as a medium of akulobola. Sacks of mealies were also used, the sacks being made of the same bark cloth. Then white beads called tʃiʃula came into vogue. These may have been brought into the country by Arab traders or early Portuguese settlers. These beads were worn in the initiation ceremonies. The beads would be exchanged for goats, which were used for akulobola. Sheep seem to have been in the country from very early times, and were sometimes used. Bees-wax, 1 and the tails of wildebeest were bartered for goats. After goats, or perhaps before them, hoes came into fashion, and then bright blue beads of Dutch origin, now worn round medicine-men’s ankles as ornaments. Then pieces of print were requisitioned; and lastly oxen, in conjunction with metal rings, tibhetu, titlatla, and masindza. When used for akulobola, the masindza were tied up in a bundle, and the father of the girl sought in marriage would use them to lobola another wife for himself or for one of his sons.