XELISA. 24

 the person who slaughters thrusts
 his hand and arm into the
 body of the beast, seizes the large
 artery (the aorta) which runs from
 the left ventricle of the heart, along
 the spine, and violently ruptures it,
 thus causing instant death. The
 name of this artery is, Umxelo.
 Hence the word Ukux'ela: To
 slaughter. To slaughter an ox by
 the method adopted in civilized
 life, by throwing it to the ground,
 or to so fasten its limbs as to pre-
 vent resistance to the person
 Slaughtering, is considered by the
 Kaffirs as savouring of pusilla-
 nimity, and a person thus slaugh-
 tering would be considered wanting
 in that strength and firmness of
 mind which constitutes courage and
 bravery. When slaughtered by the
 uku Xfla process, the ox is ap-
 proached while standing among the
 herd; and after the incision is
 made, the person making it imme-
 diately thrusts the hand into the
 side, and although the ox usually
 starts off at full speed, the slaugh-
 tererneverleavesit untilthe artery is
 ruptured, or, failing to do this, he is
 saluted by the derisive cheers of the
 bystanders, and retires crestfallen,
 and deeply mortified by the result.
uku XELISA, v.t.x. To imitate; to do as
 another does. Xelisa mina : Do
 as I do.
 um XELO, .x. The large artery of the
 arterial system running from the
 left ventricle of the heart, along
 the spine; the aorta. When a beast
 is slaughtered after the native
 fashion, this great trunk artery is
 ruptured as described under the
 word uku X'la, which see. This
 word is sometimes used when a
 very solemn and emphatic appeal
 is made as to the truthfulness of a
 statement, or the sincerity of a
 party entering into an engagement.
 The Umxelo is considered as the
 scat of life, and when thus used it
 means, "By your life," "By my
 life." Ngonmelo wam, nditeta in-
 yaniso: By my life, I speak the
 truth." lkuba ngomxnelo wenu
 nindicede ndingavuya: If it be sin-
 cerely your intention, or your mind,
 to assist me, I shall rejoice. Uku-
 qauka UVZnlo, is, To expire; to


XINA.


 die. Eseleqauk' unmxlo: He is
 really dead; life is extinct. Lit.
 The Umx'elo, or s6at of life, is rup-
 tured.=" The silver cord is loosed,
 the golden bowl is broken." (Eccles.
 xii. 6.)
 i XEMHEYA, n.x. The mouth piece of a
 tobacco pipe.
uku XENGAXENGA, v.i.x. To be loose, so as
 to fall from side to side, or, as a
 chair, loose in its joints. Inqwelo
 ixengaxenga: The wagon is loose
 in its joints, shakes about as it
 moves along.
uku XENGAXENGISA, v.t.x. To loosen any
 fixture, as a pole in the ground, by
 pushing it from side to side.
 isi XENXE, adj.x. Seven; the seventh.
 The prefix varies with the spec. of
 the noun qualified. Amadoda
 masixenxe: Seven men. Abantzu
 abasixenxe: Seven persons. Isi-
 bonda esisixenxe: The seventh pole.
 Inkwsenkwe eyesixenxe: The seventh
 boy.
 isi XHfoxi, n.x. A small axe.
 in XENYE, x. See in NXENYE.
uku XENTSA, v.i.x. TO dance, and throw
 the body into contortions, so as to
 keep time to songs and the clapping
 of hands.
uku XESHA, v.t.x. To chase or pursue on
 horseback.
 i XESHA, a.x. A certain time or period.
 i XESI, n.x. The Keiskama river.
 i XIna, n.z. A hut erected in a garden
 upon poles, so as to enable the
 watcher to see birds, &c., which come
 to destroy the corn; a watch tower.
 i XIBIYA, n.x. Buttermilk.
 i XIDoLo, n.x. An ill dressed person; a
 sloven; a poor person.
ubu XIDOLo, n.x. Poverty; slovenliness in
 dress or person.
 i XIaxA, n.x. An untidy, slovenly
 person.
uku XIKA, v.i.x. To perform an act repeat-
 edly or continually.
 i XILAMASELA, n.x. A kingfisher.
 i XILONCO, n.x.z. A trumpet; any wind
 instrument.
uku XINA, v.t.x. To press against an object
 or person, so as to impede progress.
 i XINA, n.x. Brass.
 uku XINA, v.i.x. To jump straight up and
 down, with the body erect, as the
 Kaffir men when they dance, the
 feet falling continuously in the
 same place.