Читать книгу Great Zimbabwe, Mashonaland, Rhodesia. An account of two years' examination work in 1902-4 on behalf of the government of Rhodesia онлайн

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It is a huge box, carried on two short poles, with “Nectar Tea” emblazoned on its sides in blue and white. It courtsies and bobs its way to and fro in a most stately fashion, and after it has left the pile which is being removed, a great reduction in the débris remaining can be noticed. The boys have no particular affection for this omnibus. They are believed to bulala (knock about) this box on purpose to ruin it, for several times a day they will bring it with no sorrow on their faces with the information that the box is meningi gura (plenty sick), each time fatally gura, but a few nails cure it of its injuries. Long may “Nectar Tea,” in the interests of archæology, continue to courtesy and bob its way through the western portal of the Elliptical Temple.

CARRYING OUT DÉBRIS FROM ELLIPTICAL TEMPLE, ZIMBABWE

A NOONTIDE SHELTER. WEST ENTRANCE TO ELLIPTICAL TEMPLE

The boys when working well will in a day do about as much work as a quarter of the same number of English labourers. They are inclined to be industrious when the Baba is in sight, but they immediately drop down on their haunches with knees up the moment his back is turned. This is a moral certainty. Then singing ceases, for when working they are always singing. Any excuse for a passing diversion is immediately seized upon. On the shout of inyoga (snake) they drop their tools at once, seize their knobkerries and jump into the jungle heedless for the time being of thorns and creepers. In respect of snakes they are not cowards. Inside the bush a perfect pandemonium is going on which never ceases till either the snake, generally a python or a black mamba, has been slain or has escaped into some pile of ancient blocks.