Jock of the Bushveld - Part 31
Library

Part 31

INDUNA (_p.r.o.nounced_ in-doo-nah) (n), a head-man, captain, or chief, great or petty.

INKOS (_p.r.o.nounced_ in-kos--'os' as in verbose) (n), chief; used as a term of respect in address or salutation.

INSPAN, properly Enspan (d), to yoke up, harness up, or hitch up.

ISANDHL'WANA, also 'SANDHL'WANA, incorrectly Isandula (_p.r.o.nounced_ saan-shle-waa-na), meaning 'the little hand', the hill which gave the name to the battle in which the 24th Regiment was annihilated in the Zulu War, 1879.

KAFFIR CORN, sorghum.

KAHLE (_p.r.o.nounced_ kaa-shle, corrupted in kitchen-Kaffir to 'gaashly') (n), gently, carefully, pleasantly, well. 'Hamba kahle,' farewell, go in peace. 'Hlala (_p.r.o.nounced_ shlala) kahle,' farewell, stay in peace.

KEHLA (_p.r.o.nounced_ keh-shlaa) (n), a native of certain age and position ent.i.tled to wear the head ring. Dutch, _ring kop_--ring head.

KERRIE, or KIRRIE, native sticks used for fighting, frequently k.n.o.bbed; hence, k.n.o.b-kerrie.

KETSHWAYO (_p.r.o.nounced_ ketsh-wy-o), incorrectly Cetywayo, fourth and last of the great Zulu kings.

KLIPSPRINGER (d), a small antelope, in appearance and habit rather like chamois (_Oreotragus saltator_) (_literally_. a rock-jumper).

KLOOF (d), a gorge.

KNEEHALTER (d), to couple the head to one fore leg by a reim or strap attached to the halter, closely enough to prevent the animal from moving fast.

KNOORHAAN, commonly, but incorrectly, Koorhaan or Koraan, (d), the smaller bustard (_literally_ scolding c.o.c.k).

KOODOO, properly KUDU (n) (_Strepsiceros capensis_). Habitat, rugged bushy country. Height, 5 feet; weight, 600 pounds; horns, up to 48 inches straight, and 66 inches on curve.

KOPJE (_p.r.o.nounced_ copy) (d), a hill (_literally_ a little head).

KRAAL (_p.r.o.nounced_ in English crawl) (d), an enclosure for cattle, sheep, etc, a corral; also a collection of native huts, the home of a family, the village of a chief or tribe.

KRANS (d), often spelt KRANTZ (German) (D. _krans_, a circlet or crown), a precipitous face or coronet of rock on a hill or mountain.

LAGAVAAN, a huge water lizard, the monitor. Cape Dutch, _lagewaan_ (pure Dutch, _laguaan_) (_Vara.n.u.s niloticus_). Maximum length up to 8 feet.

LOOPER, round shot for fowling-piece, about four times the size of buck shot.

MARULA, in Zulu UMGANO, a tree which furnishes soft white wood, which is carved into bowls, spoons, etc; fruit eaten or fermented for drink (_Sclerocarya caffra_).

MEERKAT (d), a small animal of the mongoose kind (properly applied to _Suricata tetradactyla_, but loosely to several species).

MIDDLEVELD, properly MIDDELVELD (d), the mixed country lying between the High veld and the Bushveld.

NEK-STROP (d), the neck-strap, or reim, which, attached to the yokeskeys, keeps the yoke in place.

NIX (d), nothing (from D. _niets_).

ORIBI (n), a small antelope (_Ourebia scoparia_). Weight, 30 pounds; height, 24 inches; horns, 6 inches.

OUTSPAN, properly UITSPAN (d), to unyoke or unharness; also the camp where one has outspanned, and places where it is customary, or by law permitted, to outspan.

PAUW (_p.r.o.nounced_ pow) (d), the great bustard (_literally_ peac.o.c.k).

PANDA, properly 'MPANDE (n), the third of the great Zulu kings.

PEZULU (n), on top, up, above.

PARTRIDGE, PHEASANT, names applied somewhat loosely to various species of francolin.

POORT (_p.r.o.nounced_ pooh-rt) (d), a gap or gorge in a range of hills (_literally_ gate).

QUAGGA, ZEBRA (correctly applied to _Equus quagga_, now extinct, but still applied to the various species of zebra found in South Africa).

REIM (_p.r.o.nounced_ reem) (d), a stout strip of raw hide.

REIMPJE (_p.r.o.nounced_ reempy) (d), a small reim.

RIETBUCK, properly (d) Rietbok (_p.r.o.nounced_ reet-buck), reed buck (_Cervicapra arundinum_). Height, 3 feet 6 inches; gross weight, 140 pounds; horns, male only, up to 16 inches.

SABLE ANTELOPE (_Hippotragus niger_; Dutch, _zwaart witpens_). Habitat, bushveld. Height, 4 feet 6 inches; weight, 350 pounds; horns, up to 48 inches on curve.

SAKUBONA (n), Zulu equivalent of 'Good-day.'

SALTED HORSE, one which has had horse-sickness, and is thus considered immune (as in small-pox); hence 'salted' is freely used colloquially as meaning acclimatised, tough, hardened, etc.

SCHANS (_p.r.o.nounced_ skaans) (d), a stone or earth breastwork for defence, very common in old native wars.

SCHELM (d), a rascal; like Scotch skellum.

SCHERM (_p.r.o.nounced_ skarem) a protection of bush or trees, usually against wild animals.

SJAMBOK (_p.r.o.nounced_ in English shambok, in Dutch saam-bok) (d), tapering raw-hide whip made from rhinoceros, hippopotamus, or giraffe skin.

SKEY (_p.r.o.nounced_ skay), a yokeskey; short for Dutch _jukskei_.

SLOOT (d), a ditch.

SPAN (d), a team.

SPOOR (d), footprints; also a trail of man, animal, or vehicle.

SPRINGBUCK, properly SPRINGBOK (d), a small antelope (_Antidorcas (Gazella) euch.o.r.e_). Habitat, high veld and other open gra.s.s country.

Height, 30 inches; weight, up to 90 pounds; horns, 19 inches (literally.

jumping buck).

SPRUIT (_p.r.o.nounced_ sprait; also commonly, but incorrectly, sproot) (d), a stream.

SQUIRREL, or TREE Rat, native name 'MCHINAAND (_Funisciurus palliatus_).