Identifier: africa00johnrich (find matches)
Title: Africa
Year: 1878 (1870s)
Authors: Johnston, Alexander Keith, 1804-1871 Keane, A. H. (Augustus Henry), 1833-1912
Subjects: Africa -- Description and travel Africa -- Social life and customs
Publisher: London : Edward Stanford
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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ng the same relation to itthat the osteology of a wild beast does to that of a tamespecimen of the same species. Owing to his socialcondition the Kafir is distinguished rather by his physicalendurance and passive resistance to injurious influences,than by any positive outward display of bodily strength;and just as his muscular system presents nothing remark-able, so the acuteness of his senses surpasses but little thatof the ordinary European, the eyesight being the mosthighly developed. With regard to his mental faculties, it is characteristicof the Kafir that he immediately reduces the loftiestconceptions of religious thought to the flattest, grossest,materialism. His ideal, the object of his dreams and hissongs, is his most valuable possession, the lowly ox.Anxiety for the safety of his wearily acquired effects, orfor the preservation of a life surrounded by dangers of allsorts, in a word, for everything that, in the absence ofhigher aspirations, can have any value in his eyes, im-
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iiii^^p^ A BECIIUANA WARRIOR. To face page 44S. THE SOUTHERN BANTU TRIBES. 449 parts an element of timidity to his character. The Kafirhas been often, but unreasonably, painted as a hero. Heis doubtless apt to assume an unabashed swaggering air,so that we might at first suppose we had to do with somedauntless warrior, whereas he is all the time the sorriestknave, who quite understands how to take advantage ofhis foe. Selfishness is in fact his cardinal virtue, every-thing being subordinate to his material interests. Whereanything is to be pounced upon, he troubles himselflittle as to the ways and means. All his grand airs andoutward show of dignity vanish at once, and he becomesaccording to circumstances a romantic highwaymanor much more frequently a common thief. Cattle-steal-ing especially has grown so universal with him as to haveacquired a certain political significance. His disinclination for serious thought is a greatobstacle in the way of his mental culture. His mindlacks the e

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