It is the custom for the losers, and not the victors, to record the state of the series of games. This is done by placing large stones, one for each game lost, on the side where the losers sit. The losers invariably have to provide the stones. When all the large stones within arm’s reach have been used up as records and the losers have to get up to fetch a stone, there is general laughter in the camp, even from those who are not immediately watching the game. The stakes are for “sisspences,” or for _doro_ (native beer), but both winners and losers share alike. Towards the end of a month, when wages are becoming due, the game causes increased excitement, and plenty of _doro_ is brewed by speculative villagers to meet the probable demands of the boys.[24]
The two most pernicious vices of the Makalanga are their inveterate love of _I’daha_ (wild hemp) smoking, and of _doro_ drinking.
The former acts as opium, and incapacitates for work, dulls the intellect, destroys every atom of will-power, and tends, if persisted in, to shorten life. An _I’daha_ smoker is readily known by the glazed look in his eyes, and by his miserable appearance. On our arrival here _I’daha_ pipes were introduced into the camp, but they were very soon destroyed, and the smoking of _I’daha_ is now an offence punishable by dismissal without _mali_ (money). This rule has effected a great improvement in the general tone of the men and in their capacities for work. So injurious to brain and health is this vice that in some parts of South Africa _I’daha_ smoking is prohibited under a penalty. One of the most distressing features of this practice is the painful fit of loud coughing which always follows the use of the pipe.
_Doro_, brewed from _rapoko_ (a red millet), is drunk very extensively by the Makalanga in this district, seeing that this part of the country yields grain in such enormous quantities. But the natives do not regard _doro_ as a mere beverage. At new and full moons, or at the rising or setting of the Pleiades, which determine the sowing and harvesting seasons, _doro_ is provided by the native farmers in lieu of wages, and on these occasions it is drunk most extensively by people of all ages. The men delight in gulping it down in quantities with the avowed and deliberate intention of getting drunk as soon as possible. The state of stupefaction induced by _doro_ is one of their most exquisite delights. On Saturday mornings the one topic of conversation of the gang is as to how much beer they will drink on _I’zhuba Kuru_ (Sunday), how soon they will get drunk, and what they will do when they are drunk. On Mondays, in spite of their “large heads” and sodden appearance, discussions take place as to who were the most drunk. The one who lost most control of himself is considered a hero. In their opinion the man who was most intoxicated honours himself, and can afford to boast.