The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

TOPOGEAl'UV OF -XLVTEliELELAND. 269the sources of the Uni-Kosi, which, under another name, discharges into theZambese over 60 miles above the Victoria Falls.Quhttlucayo, the royal residence,formerly stood in the neighbourhood of the granitic water-parting between theZambese and the Limpopo. But like most of the native towns in the interior ofAustral Africa, its site has been changed, and Btihiicaijo, which is the more correctform of the word, now lies somewhat farther to the north. The royal residence, ahouse of European construction, crowns a hiU in the centre of the village, and isencircled by a number of hive-shaped huts, all comprised within a stout palisade.The dwellings of the traders are scattered over the sm-rounding plain. Besidesthese traders, who have settled in the neighbourhood of the capital, several othershave attached themselves to the king's suite, in order to supply the wants of hisofficials and warriors. Hence thej- generally accompany the court on its frequentjourneys to Inyati and tlie other towns which follow towards the north-east andthe south-west in the hilly ilatoppo district.Both Protestant and Catholic missionaries have also penetrated into theMatebele territory, and to these have now been added the miners, who had hithertolong been refused admittance to the country. On the other hand a large numberof temporary emigrants proceed every year in search of employment to the Britishand Boer states beyond the Limpopo. The Tafi mines, the first that were discoveredin the Limpopo basin, are now worked by a company with its headmanagement at Cape Town. Here have been found the traces of ancient miningoperations carried on by some now forgotten people.Numerous villages belonging to the ilakorikori tribe lie to the north of theMatebele and Mashona territories in a rugged mountainous region, whence impetuoustorrents flow towards the Zambese. The Makorikori, no less industriousthan the Mashonas, are specially noted for their skill in the treatment of leather,which they draw out in narrow sti-ips and then twist and jilait into all kinds ofornaments. The women pierce the upper lip for the insertion of a ring made oftin wire, which is sometimes embeUished with pearls.Farther north, in the valley of the main stream, dwell the Mtande jjeople, whosewomen also pierce the upper lip, into which they introduce the jdja, an i\ory orwooden ring. This district lies within the zone of the tsetse-fly, which the womencollect and dry, reducing it to a powder with the bark of a certain root, and mixingthe preparation with the food supplied to their domestic animals, goats, sheep, anddogs. On the opposite, or left side of the Zambese, certain ruins still mark thelimits of the territory formerly occupied by the Portuguese in the interior of Africa.These are the remains of the ancient town of Zuinbo, which, however, was far lessa town than a rural market-place.During the season thousands of native dealersassembled here to purchase European wares from seven or eight so-called" Canarians," that is merchants from Goa, in the Kanara country on the west coastof India. During the period from 183G to ISUS Zumbo remained completelyabandoned by the Portuguese ; but since 1881 it has again been occupied, and isnow the residence of a Capitiio Mor, or head governor. Hence it is again resortedto by traders of various races, who find customers among the members of the sur-