| Title |
The kraals and hutts of the Hottentots ; The Hottentot skinner. [graphic]. |
| Publisher |
[London: s.n] |
| Publisher |
England. London. 1738 |
| Date |
[1738] |
| Physical Description |
1 print: woodcut; each image approx. 7 x 10 cm. (2.75 x 3.75 in) |
| Description |
Top engraving accompanies Chapter XVIII, "Of the Kraals, or Villages, of the Hottentots; their Huts and Hut-Furniture." It
shows a Khoikhoin kraal, or village, in the background. As Kolb wrote, "I have seen Hundreds of Kraals, and never saw one
that consisted of less than Twenty Huts. There are many so large that the Huts are not easily counted: And it is, in the Eye
of a Hottentot, a very contemptible Kraal that contains not more than a Hundred Souls. The Generality of the Kraals contain
each from Three Hundred to Four Hundred Souls. Some contain about Five Hundred. On the Area of a Kraal they can and do sometimes
lodge several Thousands of Small Cattle." (p. 218) The foreground of the engraving features two oval-shaped Khoikhoin huts,
one only partially built. According to Kolb, these huts usually ranged from ten to fourteen feet in diameter. They were built
with flexible wooden sticks, which were then covered with animal skins. As Kolb explained, the top of the hut was rarely "so
high that a man could stand under it erect." (p. 221) Bottom engraving shows a Khoikhoin skinner, and accompanies Chapter
XIX, "Of Certain Handy-Crafts the Hottentots exercise among themselves." Referring to the engraving, Kolb wrote: "I shall
now let the Reader into the Art and Mystery of a Hottentot Skinner. He takes a Sheep Skin, fresh and reeking from the Back
of the Sheep, and rubs into it as much Fat as he can. At this Work he takes Abundance of Pains; and the Effect is, that the
Skin is thereby render'd tough and smooth, and the Wool or Hair is secur'd from Falling off. This is All he does if he dresses
a Sheep-Skin for an European: And he does the same, and no more, if he dresses the Skin of a Wild Beast for him. And, whatever
the Reader may think of the Matter, a Skin dress'd in this Manner by a Hottentot is a very curious Piece of Work." (p. 232)
|
| Is part of |
Kolb, Peter, 1675-1726. Present state of the Cape of Good-Hope. London: Printed for W. Innys and R. Manby, at the west end
of St. Paul's, MDCCXXXVIII, [1738].
|
| Notes |
Page from Peter Kolb's The Present State of the Cape of Good Hope (London: Printed for W. Innys and R. Manby, at the west
end of St. Paul's, MDCCXXXVIII [1738]), vol. 1, p. 218.
|
|
Fels Afro-Americana Image Project, Africa: Images, Maps, and Geography. |
| Subject |
Khoikhoi (African people) -- Structures. |
|
Khoikhoi (African people) -- Arts & crafts. |
|
Dwellings -- South Africa. |
|
Hides and skins -- South Africa. |
| Geographic subject |
Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) -- Pictorial works -- 18th century. |
| Genre |
Woodcuts -- 1730-1740. |
|
Book illustrations -- 1730-1740. |
| Location |
Library Company of Philadelphia| Books & Other Texts | Rare | U Afri Kolb 532.O v 1 p 218 |
| Accession number |
532.O |
