Book

The life of a South African tribe: vol. 2

Macmillan and Co., Limited • London • Published In 1927 • Pages:

By: Junod, Henri Alexandre.

Abstract

This is the second volume of Junod's definitive work on the Thonga tribe, the first volume of which may be found as source number 1 in this file. This volume is divided into three general parts: the first deals with the agricultural and industrial life of the people, the second with their literary and artistic life, and the third with religion and superstitition. The first section contains a good deal of information on the material culture of the Thonga--their food and drink, their clothing and ornamentation, and their utensils--as well as material on their agricultural customs and techniques, food-getting activities and commerce. The second division includes valuable information on their language, folklore and music, and texts of songs, proverbs, riddles and folktales are provided. The last and longest section covers the entire gamut of Thonga religious life and superstitions, emphasizing, for example, the native conceptions of nature and man; ancestrolatry and concepts of heaven; magic, including medical art, spirit possession, witchcraft and divination; taboos and conceptions of morality.

HRAF PubDate

2010

Region

Africa

Sub Region

Southern Africa

Document Type

Book

Evaluation

Creator Type

Missionary

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Ruth Heffner ; 1954

Field Date

1895-1909

Coverage Date

1895-1927

Coverage Place

South africa

Notes

Henri A. Junod

Pp. 585-633 contain appendices, some of which have not been marked for categories since the information provided applies to the Bantu in general and only incidentally to the Thonga. The index and glossary of native terms for both volumes I and II will be found in category 104 or category 116, pp. 645-660.

Includes bibliographical references

LCSH

Tsonga (African peoples)