Chapters 10 - 17 Summary

Big Dances Summary

The greatest social functions held at the farm were the Ngomas, the big Native dances at which up to fifteen hundred or two thousand guests were entertained. The entertainment offered by Karen was modest – snuff for the women, sugar for the children and occasionally, with the D.C.'s permission, tembu, a drink made from sugar cane. However, the farm was highly thought of because it offered a great expanse of level ground on which the young dancers could perform and as such, the dances were always events of great importance and anticipation.

Held sometimes during the day and at other times, at night, these dances drew great crowds. The night Ngomas were held only in autumn, after the maize harvesting and below the full moon. During these night events, the dancers would gather in a dancing ring...