An important surviving source for the study of the spectacular and short-lived kingdom of Ndebele. In the literature of pre-conquest Rhodesia, Thomas' book stands out by virtue of its ethnographical and political material about the Ndebele under Mzilikazi and Lebengula.
CHAPTER I. I Departure. Voyage to the Cape. Cape Town. Life in the Cape Colony CHAPTER II. Griqua Land. Chiefs and Missions. The Diamond Fields CHAPTER III. KUluman and Kanye. Kolobeng and Sechel~. Shooshong CHAPTER IV. Travelling in the Interior. Amandebele outpost. First experience in their country. Reception by Umzi· likazi 51 CHAPTER V. Seasons. Climate. Nocturnal Heavens. Position of the Amandebele country. Its Geographical features and Botanical productions .CHAPTER VI. Oarnivora. Pachydermata. Antelopes. Game Traps CHAPTER VII. Fish. Reptiles :-Lizards. Snakes; theh- fangs, bites, and their remedies..CHAPTER VIII. Insects :-Locusts. Ants. Ticks. Tsetse. Birds : Ostriches. Domestic and othel- Fowls. Isehlo .CHAPTER IX. South African Nations Philologically and Ethnologically viewed. Amandebele CHAPTER X. Umzilikazi's early Life, and subsequent History CHAPTER XI. Per.ionftl ltppe:1rallCe and physical qualities of the Amandebele, with their habits and pursuits CHAPTER XII. South African Languages. Isindebele. Amandebelean Literature 194 OHAPTER XIII. Amandebelean Character. Its good and bad tltaits. The contraast and similarity between the three great branches of the human stock CHAPTER XIV. Alnandebelean Governnment. Umzilikazi's reign. His Successor. Lost Heir. Inauguration of Ulopengule. Difficulties of his Reign CHAPTER XV. Amandebelean Laws and Customs. Law of Inheritance. Sad state of Women. Grimes and Superstitions CHAPTER XVI. The position of South African Women in respect to Property and the Matrimonial state ..CHAPTER XVII. Native Superstitions :-Rain-making. Transmigltation of Souls. Queen buried alive. Umzilikazi's death and interment CHAPTER X. Umzilikazi's early Life, and subsequent History CHAPTER XI. Per.ionftl ltppe:1rallCe and physical qualities of the Amandebele, with their habits and pursuits CHAPTER XII. South African Languages. Isindebele. Amandebelean Literature CHAPTER XIII. Amandebelean Character. Its good and bad tltaits. The contrast and similarity between the three great branches of the human stock CHAPTER XIV. Alnandebelean Government. Umzilikazi's reign. His Successor. Lost Heir. Inauguration of Ulopengule. Difficulties of his Reign CHAPTER XV. Amandebelean Laws and Customs. Law of Inheritance. Sad state of Women. Grimes and Superstitions CHAPTER XVI. The position of South African Women in respect to Property and the Matrimonial state ... 259 CHAPTER XVII. Native Superstitions :-Rain-making. Transmigltation of Souls. Queen buried alive. Umzilikazi's death and interment CHAPTER XVIII. Native Supcistitions :-Cave God and Wise Man. How Idiots are made. Native Priests and Doctors CHAPTER XIX. Hist·C)\,y of the Amandebele Mission from 1859 to 1861 CHAPTER XX. History of the Amandebele Mission from 1861 to 1868. Domestic Affiiction CHAPTER XXI. History of the Amandebele Misliion from 1863 to 1870 ..CHAPTER XXII. Makololo and Zambesi ~fissions. Only one of the successful CHAPTER XXIII. Journey from Inyati. Crossing the Wilds. Strange Fire. Adventures with Wild Beast8. Zambesi Hills...CHAPTER XXIV. Zambesi. Panic. Customs and Pursuits of the Aba..hunti and Abayaye. Fever. Return Home. Ububi Valley CHAPTER XXV. The Missionary a Pioneer to Commercial and Scientific men. Resources of the Amandebele country, including the Tati and Zambesi Gold Fields CHAPTER XXVI. Contact of the Natives with White People. Civil War. Improvements. Hope Fountain. Difficulties and success in connection with the Amandebele Mission.
