Page 537
An.1691
The Custom of anointing their Bodies.
as if every one of them had this for his Name. The word probably hath some signification or other in their Language , whatever it is.
These Hottantots are people of a middle stature , with small Limbs and thin Bodies , full of activity. Their Faces are of a flat oval Figure , of the Negro make , with great Eye-brows , black Eyes , but neither are their Noses so flat , nor their Lips so thick , as the Negroes of Guinea. Their Complexion is darker than the common Indians ; tho not so black as the Negroes or New Hollanders ; neither is their Hair so much frizzled.
They besmear themselves all over with Grease , as well to keep their Joints supple , as to fence their half naked Bodies from the Air , by stopping up their Pores. To do this the more effectually , they rub Soot over the greafed parts , especially their Faces , which adds to their natural Beauty , as Painting does in Europe ; but withal sends from them a strong smell , which though sufficiently pleasing to themselves , is very unpleasant to others. They are glad of the worst of Kitchin-stuff for this purpose , and use it as often as they can get it.
This custom of anointing the Body is very common in other parts of Africa , especially on the Coast of Guinea , where they generally use Palm-oyl , anointing themselves from Head to Foot ; but when they want Oyl , they make use of Kitchin-stuff , which they buy of the Europeans , that Trade with them. In the East Indies also , especially on the Coast of Cudda and Malacca , and in general , on almost all the Easterly Islands , as well on Sumatra , Java , &c. as on the Philippine and Spice Islands , the Indian Inhabitants anoint themselves with Coco-nut Oyl , two or three times a day , especially mornings and evenings. They spend sometimes half an hour in chafing the