© Copyright 2020 - The Library Company of Philadelphia, 1314 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. TEL (215) 546-3181 FAX (215) 546-5167
For inquiries, please contact our IT Department
- Title
- After what manner the Hottentots secure their cattle in the night ; The carriage - oxen of the Hottentots
- Description
- Included in Chapter XV, "Of the Hottentot Management with Regard to their Cattle," the plates describe aspects of animal husbandry, as practiced by the Hottentot [i.e. Khoikoin] peoples. As the title suggests, the top engraving shows the manner in which the Khoikoin secured cattle during the night. The image is described in section XIV, where Kolb wrote, "I shall now shew after what Manner the Hottentots secure their cattle in the Night. The Cots of a Kraal [defined variously as a hut, an entire village, an enclosure, or a corral], as I have said already, are rang'd in a Circle, the Area of which is quite open. There is but one Entrance into a Kraal and that a narrow one. Between Five and Six in the Evening, as I have said too, the Hottentots generally drive their Cattle from Pasture. . . . On the Area of the Kraal they lodge the Calves and all the small Cattle. And round the Kraal, on the Outside, they range the great Cattle, their Heads close up to the Cots. Their Great Cattle, so rang'd, they tie, Two and Two together, by the Feet, to prevent their Struggling." (p. 176) The bottom engraving shows the oxen of the Khoikoin, of which Kolb said the followiing, "The Hottentots have likewise great Numbers of Oxen for Carriage. These too are very strong and stately Creatures, chosen out of the Herds at about the Age of Two Years, by old Men, well skill'd in Cattle. When they have destin'd an Ox to carry Burthens, they take and throw him on his Back on the Ground; and fastening his Head and Feet, as they do those of a Bull when they geld him, they make a Hole with a sharp Knife through his upper Lip, between his Nostrils. Into this Hole they put a stick, about half an Inch thick, and a Foot and a Half long, with a Hook at Top to prevent its falling through. By this hook'd Stick they break him to Obedience and Good Behaviour: For if he refuses to be govern'd, or to carry the Burthens they lay upon him, they fix his Nose by this hook'd Stick to the Ground; and there hold it till he comes to a better Temper." (p. 180-81), 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. 174., Fels Afro-Americana Image Project, Africa: Images, Maps, and Geography.
- Date
- [1738]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare U Afri Kolb 532.O v 1 p 174, https://digital.librarycompany.org/islandora/object/Islandora%3A2918