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Contents
UNIT 1 EDUCATION
Learning an Additional Language 1
Exploring Ideas 2
Introduction 2
Fostering Inquiry: Writing an Inquiry Question 3
Writing Task: Freewriting 4
Structure: Standard Paragraph and Essay Structure 5
Language Tip: Using Formulaic Sequences 7
Writing Task: Short Paragraph 9
Academic Reading 9
Vocabulary Skill: Using the Frequency Principle and the Academic Word List 9
Reading: What Are the Ideal Conditions for Language Learning? 13
Writing Task: Short Paragraph 16
Critical Thinking: Providing Explanations for Key Points 17
Process Fundamentals 17
Brainstorming and Outlining: Listing and Bulleting 17
Learning Strategy: Planning Learning in Advance 20
Research Skill: Finding Books to Support a Thesis 21
Preventing Plagiarism: Using Quotations 22
MLA/APA Reference Skill: Citing Information from Books 23
Writing Task: Citations and References 25
Thesis Skill: Writing Basic Thesis Statements 26
Writing Task: Thesis Statement 27
Introductions: General to Specific 27
Writing Task: General-to-Specific Introduction 29
Conclusions: Emphasizing the Importance 29
Writing Task: Emphasizing-the-Importance Conclusion 30
Writing Fundamentals 30
Composition Skill: Drafting 30
Writing Task: First Draft 31
Writing Task: First Draft 31
Writing Skill: Maintaining Paragraph Unity 31
Writing Task: Short Paragraph 33
Grammar Skill: Ensuring Subject–Verb Agreement 33
Sentence Skill: Recognizing Common Sentence Types 35
Unit Outcome 37
Writing Assignment: Standard Essay 37
Evaluation: Standard Essay Rubric 39
Unit Review: Self-Assessment Checklist and Vocabulary Checklist 40
Contents ix
UNIT 2 ECOLOGY
Canadian Ecosystems 43
Exploring Ideas 44
Introduction 44
Fostering Inquiry: Inquiring into Cause and Effect 45
Writing Task: Freewriting 46
Structure: Cause and Effect 46
Language Tip: Using Cause-and-Effect Connectors 47
Writing Task: Opinion Paragraph Describing Causes or Effects 50
Academic Reading 50
Vocabulary Skill: Understanding Word Forms 50
Reading: The Pacific Salmon 54
Writing Task: Reading Response Paragraph 57
Critical Thinking: Making Inferences 58
Process Fundamentals 58
Brainstorming and Outlining: Webbing 58
Research Skill: Finding Information Online 59
Preventing Plagiarism: Paraphrasing 63
MLA/APA Reference Skill: Citing Information from Websites 64
Writing Task: Paragraph with In-Text Citations and Works Cited or References 67
Learning Strategy: Personalizing New Concepts 68
Thesis Skill: Writing Cause-and-Effect Thesis Statements 68
Introductions: Shock the Reader 69
Writing Task: Introduction 70
Conclusions: Providing Hope 70
Writing Task: Conclusion that Provides Hope 71
Writing Fundamentals 71
Composition Skill: Using the Appropriate Register 71
Writing Skill: Achieving Coherence 73
Writing Task: Paragraph Based on a Webbing Brainstorm 75
Grammar Skill: Using Articles and Nouns 76
Sentence Skill: Ensuring Parallel Structure 79
Unit Outcome 80
Writing Assignment: Cause-and-Effect Essay 80
Evaluation: Cause-and-Effect Essay Rubric 82
Unit Review: Self-Assessment Checklist and Vocabulary Checklist 83
x Contents
Academic Reading 93
Vocabulary Skill: Recognizing Prefixes and Suffixes 93
Reading: Health and Wellness 97
Writing Task: Summary Paragraph 101
Writing Task: Response Paragraph 101
Critical Thinking: Interpreting a Concept 102
UNIT 5 GEOGRAPHY
Canadian Regional Geography 177
Exploring Ideas 178
Introduction 178
Fostering Inquiry: Making Comparisons 179
Writing Task: Freewriting 180
Structure: Compare and Contrast 180
Language Tip: Using Compare-and-Contrast Connectors 182
Writing Task: Compare-and-Contrast Paragraph 184
UNIT 6 BUSINESS
Marketing in Canada 225
Exploring Ideas 226
Introduction 226
Fostering Inquiry: Building an Argument 227
Writing Task: Freewriting 227
Structure: Persuasion 228
Language Tip: Developing an Argument Using Connectors 230
Writing Task: Persuasive Paragraph 233
Credits 279
Index 281
Note to Instructors
Taking an inquiry-based approach, this series fosters academic writing skills that
contribute to student success in post-secondary studies. Each unit is based on an academic
discipline and opens with an introduction to theme-related content that prepares
students to think about ideas within that discipline. At the heart of each unit, students
develop personalized Unit Inquiry Questions to guide their study; these questions are
inspired by each student’s personal interest and curiosity. The process promotes higher-
order thinking skills, encourages student curiosity, and resists simple yes or no answers.
The Unit Inquiry Questions put an active learner-centred focus on content and prime
students for dynamic engagement with unit materials, concepts, and skills.
Student writing skills are developed using a language-through-content approach
to composition instruction, with each unit focused on one rhetorical writing pattern
and one academic discipline. At the core of each unit is an authentic reading, such as
an excerpt from an undergraduate textbook that students might typically encounter
in a post-secondary setting. These readings provide a springboard for the inclusion of
informative content in student writing and promote effective writing skills. Within
each of the core academic readings, students are exposed to key vocabulary from the
Academic Word List (AWL) along with pertinent mid-frequency vocabulary (MFV);
these words are introduced to students in pre-reading activities and recycled throughout
the unit to foster a greater depth and breadth of lexical usage in student writing.
Additionally, the rich contextual framework within each unit provides an
opportunity for the recycling of skills and the spiralling of concepts. Each unit also
emphasizes the fundamentals of the writing process as well as key composition and
grammar skills, according to the demands of the unit content and writing assignments.
These fundamentals are supported by special skills boxes focusing on thinking
critically, developing learning strategies, and preventing plagiarism. Furthermore,
all the process and writing fundamentals are accompanied by focused activities,
opportunities for meaningful writing practice, and multiple writing models to provide
comprehensible input to students as they gather ideas to answer their Unit Inquiry
Questions and complete their own writing projects.
The final writing assignment in each unit is based on students’ personalized
Unit Inquiry Questions and the rhetorical pattern explored in the unit. Numerous
opportunities for controlled writing output are provided throughout the unit until the
final assignment is written as a culmination of the language and content knowledge
gained throughout the unit. The final writing assignment is supported with evaluation
and review activities to reinforce student learning and mastery of the unit outcomes.
Robustly supporting the content in the student books, the Academic Inquiry
companion website (teacher’s resource) is a rich source of supplementary materials.
Online, teachers can find teaching notes, pacing guides, adaptable practice materials
for each unit’s learning objectives, answer keys, additional sample writing models,
editing activities, and printable versions of the evaluation rubrics. Teachers will also
find extension activities in the form of genre-based academic writing tasks (such as
journal entries, lab reports, and case studies) and integrated tasks (such as surveys, short
presentations, and posters). Finally, teachers have access to writing prompts suitable for
timed exam purposes. Teachers can contact their local Oxford University Press sales
and editorial representative for access to the password-protected teacher’s resource.
Note to Students
Writing for academic purposes can seem like a difficult task; however, it doesn’t have
to be impossible. Academic Inquiry breaks down the task of academic writing into
manageable parts. Each unit has carefully structured activities. You develop your
academic writing skills step by step until you have the confidence to handle academic
writing tasks on your own.
This textbook series takes an inquiry-based approach to learning. Each unit focuses
on a core academic discipline, and you are encouraged to decide for yourself what
specific area within that discipline you want to write about. This approach puts you in
control of your learning. You find answers to your own questions. You develop your
own writing topics.
Each unit opens with an opportunity to explore ideas connected to a topic within
a specific academic discipline. Then you develop a question about that topic. It is a
meaningful question based on your own curiosity. Throughout the unit, you have
opportunities to find answers to this question—your Unit Inquiry Question.
Next, you work on expanding your vocabulary. New vocabulary supports your
ability to express your ideas effectively and precisely. The new vocabulary is introduced
in the context of academic readings, similar to those found in college and university
settings. These readings also help you find ideas for your writing.
After you have read and responded to the readings in each unit, you have the
opportunity to explore the unit topic in greater detail. You brainstorm and develop
your chosen writing topic. You consider ways to prevent plagiarism. You make
connections to your Unit Inquiry Question. You cover the structure and elements
of quality academic writing, as well as critical thinking skills, learning strategies,
vocabulary, and grammar points.
The key to developing these skills is extensive writing practice. Throughout each
unit, you revisit and revise your own writing on a number of occasions. You see
examples of good academic writing. You have the opportunity to review and rework
your Unit Inquiry Question. You then complete the final unit assignment related to
your Unit Inquiry Question. The end of each unit includes a writing rubric and self-
assessment checklist connected to what you have learned in that unit. These tools help
promote your understanding of the elements of effective academic writing.
The Academic Inquiry series guides you through the academic writing process. In
each unit, you explore academic writing skills one at a time within the context of an
academic discipline. In doing so, you will find the process of academic writing to be
much less challenging. This style of writing is about communicating your ideas, which
takes hard work and practice. However, developing the ability to express yourself
clearly and effectively makes all that hard work and practice worthwhile. Academic
Inquiry will empower you to use your skills and knowledge of the process in your
future college and university studies.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge everyone at Oxford University Press who helped
with this series and contributed to its publication. In particular, the authors thank the
editorial team for their insightful suggestions and tireless dedication to excellence in
English language teaching materials.
Oxford University Press Canada would like to express appreciation to the instructors
and coordinators who graciously offered feedback on Academic Inquiry at various
stages of the developmental process. Their feedback was instrumental in helping to
shape and refine the book.
Learning an Additional
Language
KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES
Creating an inquiry question Emphasizing the importance of an issue
Employing the frequency principle for in an essay conclusion
learning vocabulary Writing multiple drafts
Brainstorming ideas with listing and Developing unified paragraphs
bulleting Ensuring subject–verb agreement
Finding information in books Using a variety of sentence types
Writing an effective thesis statement
Writing a standard essay
Organizing an essay introduction from
general to specific
2 UNIT 1 • Education
EXPLORING IDEAS
Introduction
Activity B | Complete the following survey with a partner or small group. Circle the
number that represents your agreement with each statement.
1 = strongly disagree
2 = disagree
3 = agree
4 = strongly agree
Good language learners . . .
1. study a lot of grammar rules. —1—2—3—4—
2. read in the new language all the time. —1—2—3—4—
3. are very motivated. —1—2—3—4—
Learning an Additional Language 3
4. identify with the culture of the language they are studying. —1—2—3—4—
5. don’t get embarrassed too easily. —1—2—3—4—
6. start learning the language when they are young. —1—2—3—4—
7. watch a lot of television and movies in the new language. —1—2—3—4—
8. use the language all the time and avoid their first language. —1—2—3—4—
9. have an above average intelligence. —1—2—3—4—
10. love memorizing long lists of vocabulary words. —1—2—3—4—
Fostering Inquiry
Writing an Inquiry Question
An inquiry question helps you to explore and more fully understand a topic. When you
use an inquiry question, you become an active learner who is looking for an answer to
a question that interests you. A good inquiry question is based on your own curiosity
and requires more than a yes or no answer. The question often starts with who, what,
where, when, how, or why. It is important to remember that a good inquiry question
can change over time and may even generate new questions.
When choosing an inquiry question, you are encouraged to explore new and
unfamiliar topics. Although you may be more comfortable working with a topic that
you already understand, you might find it motivating to research something that is
fresh and unknown to you. Another idea is to choose a topic that you are familiar with
but to investigate it from a new angle. An inquiry question is your opportunity to learn
more about a subject and become an informed expert on your chosen topic.
Activity A | What do you want to know about learning an additional language? For
example, What are the best strategies for learning new vocabulary?
1. Write two or three questions you are curious about on the topic of learning an
additional language.
2. When you are finished, compare your questions with a partner or small group.
3. Choose one question to be your guiding inquiry question as you work through
this unit. You do not have to have the same question as your partner or group.
4. Write your inquiry question in the space provided and refer back to it
throughout the unit. This is your Unit Inquiry Question.
Supportable The topic needs to be something that you are able to write about and
that you can back up with plausible (believable) ideas that connect to the subject of
your essay. Usually, choosing a topic that you are familiar with will make it easier to
substantiate (help to prove) your main ideas. However, do not be afraid to look at your
topic from a unique angle. When you are working with a topic that you might not
know much about, you will discover whether or not the topic is supportable when you
start researching it. If the topic is good, you should be able to find supporting details
that give substance to your essay.
Supportable: Reading is the key to learning new vocabulary.
Not supportable: Everyone can learn to speak perfect English in just a few weeks.
Appropriate The topic should match the general requirements of the essay
assignment and meet the expectations of the reader. Note the examples below for a
short essay assignment on language learning.
Appropriate: top tips for beginning language learners
Not appropriate: a detailed report on all the best language-teaching methods ever
used in history
Focused A typical essay should be about only one aspect of a wider subject. If your
topic is too broad, you might be overwhelmed with information and be unable to
complete the essay. It is important not to include too many ideas or generalizations that
are not fully developed. Instead, write about one aspect of a topic in depth.
Focused: the key elements of an effective academic essay in English
Not focused: the key elements of speaking, reading, and writing in an additional
language
Engaging Try to write about a topic that you are interested in. That way, your readers
are more likely to find the topic important and interesting too. The topic can also aim to
change or confirm how readers think about the main ideas in the essay by compelling
Learning an Additional Language 5
them to read what you have written. Consider how interesting the following topics
would be to a general audience.
Engaging: how learning another language benefits students
Not engaging: technical vocabulary needed by marine biologists who are studying
seaweed
Activity C | Evaluate the following short essay topics by using the SAFE guidelines.
How could each topic be changed and improved? Work alone or with a partner to
rewrite each of the following essay topics.
1. reasons children and adults have trouble learning additional languages
2. why Chinese and Japanese are popular additional languages
3. all the challenges of writing essays in another language
4. the worst language on Earth
5. bad language learners
6. the past perfect tense
7. the most beautiful-sounding language in the world
8. electronic dictionaries
9. essay styles
10. English classes in South Korea, France, Spain, and Venezuela
Activity D | Analyze your Unit Inquiry Question on page 3 by using the SAFE
guidelines and develop an effective topic for a 500- to 600-word essay. If your Unit
Inquiry Question is SAFE, you will be able to develop a SAFE topic. Remember that a
focused topic cannot cover too broad a subject, so be sure that your topic is one that you
can deal with in depth in 500 to 600 words. When you are done, compare your topic
with a partner or small group and check that your topics are SAFE. As you progress
through each writing step in this unit, remember that your Unit Inquiry Question and
your essay topic may continue to evolve. If you do revise your topic, it is important to
reassess it to ensure that it is SAFE.
Structure
Standard Paragraph Structure
An essay is made up of paragraphs. Each paragraph in the main body of an essay
can follow this basic structure: a topic sentence, supporting ideas, and a concluding
sentence. The topic sentence is usually the first sentence in a paragraph, and it contains
the main idea. The supporting ideas are usually found in the middle sentences of a
paragraph, and they provide evidence to validate the main idea. The concluding
sentence is usually the last sentence in a paragraph, and it can serve as a reminder of
the main idea.
Introduction
Topic Sentence
Concluding Sentence
Conclusion
An essay that uses standard essay structure has three main parts: the introduction,
the main body, and the conclusion. The introduction of an essay corresponds to
the topic sentence in a paragraph. An introductory paragraph usually has a unique
paragraph structure (see page 28 in this unit). The main body of an essay corresponds
to the supporting ideas in a paragraph. These paragraphs can follow the same standard
paragraph structure already discussed. The main body of an essay can contain as many
paragraphs as needed to support the essay topic. Short standard essays typically have
two to four main body paragraphs. Finally, the conclusion of an essay corresponds
to the concluding sentence in a paragraph. As with the introduction, the concluding
paragraph also has a unique paragraph structure (see page 29 in this unit).
Language Tip
Using Formulaic Sequences
Formulaic sequences are groups of three or more a number of in terms of
words that go together as a single unit. The words in
a wide range of is likely to be
a formulaic sequence operate as a fixed phrase, and
they can often be found in academic writing. You can from the point of view of it can be
learn these groups of words as one language chunk an important role in it is important to
in the same way that you would learn new individual in order to it is possible that
words. Formulaic sequences can be very useful in
in some cases the fact that
your academic writing because they help make your
writing more fluent. Simpson-Vlach and Ellis (2010)
As you work through the readings in this textbook,
have put together a list of formulaic sequences
look for other useful formulaic sequences that can
frequently used in academic English called the
help you to become a more fluent writer.
Academic Formulas List (AFL). Some useful phrases
from this list that you could use in your writing are set
out here. Reference
Simpson-Vlach, R., & Ellis, N. C. (2010). An academic
formulas list: New methods in phraseology research.
Applied Linguistics, 31(4), 487–512.
Activity B | The following essay illustrates the standard structure set out in Figure
1.1. Read the essay closely, noting the function of each paragraph. Before you read, look
at the questions that follow to guide your analysis. When you are finished reading,
answer the questions.
OLIVER E. VEAL,
of the Public Works Department.
FOOTNOTES:
[76] This tax of 14s. per hut had, of course, to be paid in respect
of huts on private lands, regardless of the rent charged by the
farmer or landlord.
[77] An important Act, regulating claims against Natives for
interest, was passed by the Natal Legislature in 1908. It has
proved very beneficial to the Natives.
[78] As the contracts were never for less than six months, and
labourers had not acquired the habit of banking their earnings, it
can be seen that losses from theft or otherwise at a mining centre
must have been considerable.
[79] Ordinance 20, 1902, sec. 2 (Transvaal).
[80] Silwana's tribe consisted of about 30,000, that of
Ngqambuzana of about 28,000, souls.
[81] Cd. 2905, p. 11.
[82] The niece, Nongqause by name, stated: "This talking of the
new people commenced after my having reported to Mhlakaza
that I had seen about ten strange Kafirs in the gardens. [The first
meeting is said to have occurred about 2½ years before the date
of giving the information.] ... I told him I was afraid to go there.
The people I saw were Kafirs—young men. I was afraid of them,
because I did not know them. Mhlakaza told me not to be afraid of
them, as they would do me no harm. He told me to speak to
them, and ask them what they were doing there. I did so. They
replied: 'We are people who have come to order you to kill your
cattle, to consume your corn, and not to cultivate any more.'
Mhlakaza asked them through me: 'What are we to eat when we
kill our cattle, etc.' They answered: 'We will find you something to
eat.' The people then said that was enough for that day—they
would return some other day. We asked who sent them; they
answered: 'We have come of our own accord, as we wish
everything in the country to be made new.' They said they had
come from a place of refuge. I asked them where this place of
refuge was. They said: 'You will not know if we even told you.' I
always pressed them to tell me where this place of refuge was,
but they gave me the same answer. The next day Mhlakaza killed
one head of cattle. He then called a meeting of the people and
told them that strangers had come to tell them to kill their cattle—
to destroy their corn, and that great plenty would be provided for
them hereafter. The people dispersed, and from that day they
commenced killing their cattle, etc.; and Mhlakaza continued
killing his cattle, one a day. The people killed more cattle than
they could use...."
The same, as well as other, strange men—commonly believed by
the Natives to be spirits of the departed—came on other
occasions and conversed with Nongqause and Mhlakaza on the
foregoing lines. Their object was "to change the country" by
"driving the English out" and "making them run into the sea." Such
intention was to be communicated to the Paramount Chief Kreli
(Sarili) and other Chiefs. On Mhlakaza reporting to Xito (Kreli's
uncle), the latter directed him to spread the news throughout the
country. This was done. Kreli and others had confidential
meetings with Mhlakaza, the latter eventually leaving his kraal to
live on roots and shell-fish. Mhlakaza often blamed the
Paramount Chief as the sole cause of the widespread cattle-
killing that then went on. Nongqause, too, declared that Kreli had
said "the English were in his way," and that he looked to the
strangers to assist him in fighting and driving them out of the
country. "I have been at a loss," he added, "to know what to do
with the English, as they have been stronger than the Kafirs."
[83] That is, to become filled with an angry, vengeful spirit. The
countenance of a person or animal that has qunga'd is abnormally
dark and forbidding. Clouds are said to have qunga'd when,—
charged with thunder, lightning and rain,—a violent storm is
imminent.
[84] And this rumour arose notwithstanding that both were
subjects of the British Government.
[85] This is the name given to five or six magisterial districts taken
from the Transvaal and annexed to Natal subsequently to the
Boer War.
[86] 5th January, 1906. Cd. 2905, p. 1.
[87]
I.
Who is going to die among the Whites?
Stand firm, O King!
Heed not their mutterings,
They are but finding fault.
(Note.—The meaning probably is that Dinuzulu is the last person
that will die among Europeans, as his own people are determined
to prevent his being taken.)
II.
Great must be this people,
Who carry loads of goods around,
To barter salempore for cattle here and there.
About It a song, methinks, I'll sing.
It will o'erspread th' entire land.
A long thin frame It has, bending to and fro.
Starting from earth, It makes towards the sky,
Like that huge snake which ate the white men's sheep;
They set a trap for it and caught it,
Pulled at it two, and three, days long;
Cut it through with knives, when lo! a flame
Leapt from out its pool and scorched them.
Clouds of dust straightway broke forth,
And streamed throughout the land,
Which thereupon was set ablaze!
And here at Mbilane, too,
From whence (as every pool, 'twas said, was full thereof)
They thought it must spring forth.
(Note.—Like the foregoing, this song is in the form of an enigma.
The word "It" evidently refers to an impi, which, when on the
march, very much resembles a snake. The object of the song
was, no doubt, to promote a spirit of defiance against Europeans.
It is possible the word "snake" in line 8 is used metaphorically.
Mbilane refers to a pool near Nodwengu, Mpande's principal kraal
on the White Umfolozi. Mpande was Dinuzulu's grandfather. That
such a song should have been sung at Usutu is clear evidence of
the atmosphere of disloyalty that prevailed there.)
The Zulu version of the above translations appears in Appendix
IX.
[88] Principal Under-Secretary to Magistrates, 28th Dec. 1905.
Cd. 2905, p. 2.
[89] Cd. 2905, p. 2.
[90] On the occasion of the hut tax being raised from 7s. to 14s.,
Sir Theophilus Shepstone officially informed the people of the
Government's intentions, and discussed with them the necessity
for taking the step.
[91] The following is a case that occurred at Durban in
September, 1905, though unknown to the Chief Magistrate when
convening his meeting of 4th November: "Mditshwa and other
Natives held meetings" at which the poll tax and other matters
were discussed, and inflammatory and seditious speeches were
uttered.... The result of the deliberations was a resolution to write
to their Chiefs on the subject. A letter was produced in Court
[Native High Court], written by Mditshwa to his Chief.... The
following are extracts therefrom. "They refuse to submit to this
money on any account, and they say that you should advise one
another throughout the whole country. To-day you are given
manliness, and it will be proved which man is persevering.... Day
after day we find fault with your fathers, and say that they submit
to every law. To-day the matter is upon yourselves. We, in
Durban, say let the white people do what they will. I have two
ideas: an irresistible army or hooligans, it is they who trod on a
white man on the day we were gathered together to be told this
law," (referring evidently to one of the other already held
magisterial meetings). Decisions, Native High Court, Natal,
March, 1906—January, 1907, p. 34.
[92] The hut tax, on the other hand, was payable only to the
Magistrate of the district in which it became due.
[93] A gross breach of etiquette and a matter that would at once
excite suspicion.
[94] The Native Code prohibits, on pain of severe penalty, the
carrying of lethal weapons by persons other than constables on
duty.
[95] When going about a district collecting taxes, a Magistrate's
staff hardly ever exceeded three or four Europeans and half-a-
dozen Native police and messengers.
[96] According to the late Mjongo, a curious phenomenon
occurred almost simultaneously with the commission of this
murder. "The matter I am now going to tell you (the writer) about,"
he said, "is of a strange or miraculous description. I am a Kolwa
(Christian), and would not tell anyone, but in the most confidential
manner.... The instant the firing started, I saw a ball of fire fall
from the sky to earth, near where the fighting was going on. It was
so brilliant that a darkness arose after it, continuing some little
while.... In size, this ball was about 9 or 10 in. in diameter. I was
not deceived in any way. It was in no way connected with revolver
or rifle fire. Moreover, I was not the only one who observed it.
Those present, including the Europeans, must have noticed it.
Whilst in gaol in Richmond, I heard Native warders referring to the
matter.... The ball fell to earth and disappeared immediately....
When this occurred, it was misty, but still quite light."
We believe Mjongo regarded this as a supernatural intervention,
ordained to mark a most unusual incident. It is probable that the
other Natives who are said to have seen it hold similar views.
VI.
MOBILIZATION AND DEMONSTRATIONS IN FORCE: (a) IN
THE SOUTH-WEST; (b) AT MAPUMULO.—EXECUTIONS AT
RICHMOND.
The news that the Police had been attacked and two of them
murdered, came to everyone in the Colony as a bolt from the blue.
Nothing of the kind had been experienced since the affair in Polela
district in 1892.[97] But, strange though occurrences among Natives
sometimes appear to be, they are almost invariably capable of
explanation. In this particular instance (1906), so far as we have
been able to ascertain, the explanation seems to be briefly as
follows:
In 1895 a dispute arose between Chief Mveli's father, Hemuhemu,
and several of the tribe, of both sexes (connected with the group that
attacked the police at Trewirgie). They had recently become converts
to Christianity. The Chief, having taken exception to disrespect
shown by one of them, as well as to immoral behaviour by women
and girls through remaining out after dark on the pretext of attending
Christian services, imposed a penalty under his ordinary tribal
authority. Against this decision they appealed; first to the Native High
Court, then the Supreme Court. The latter decided, inter alia, that, as
the appellants were Christians, the Chief had no right to treat them
as he did the rest of the tribe. He was reminded that, as a deputy of
the Supreme Chief (Governor), he was bound to conform to the
instruction the Governor had received from the Queen to the effect
that religion was to be fostered to the utmost of his power amongst
the Natives, and that such steps were to be taken by the Governor
as appeared to him necessary for converting the people to the
Christian faith. The appellants were, therefore, declared to be
independent of the Chief's control, in certain important respects,
though allowed to continue to live within his ward.[98]
This case, and the highly unsatisfactory influence it began forthwith
to exert on those concerned as well as on others, had, by 1906,
passed almost out of the recollection of Europeans; not so with the
Natives. The Christians referred to and their children, having been
accorded certain liberties by the highest legal authority, were not
slow in assuming a more complete independence than the said
authority had supposed they would do. In short, they became what
are commonly known as Ethiopians, that is, a class whose church
organization, like their social life, is wholly free from European
control.[99] Their denomination was the African Congregational
Church. They then became a set of "free-lances," socially, politically
and religiously. Is it surprising, then, that a group of barbarians with
the merest veneer of Christianity, cut off from all effective controlling
influences, should, in course of time, have developed rebellious
tendencies? The rigid application of the principles of European
civilization to ordinary heathen life, without regard to after-effects, is
one of the most subtle dangers to which Natal, in common with all
other countries in which there are lower races subject to Christian
government, has constantly been exposed.
Among the Ethiopians referred to, but especially in connection with
the Trewirgie outbreak,[100] two names—Makanda and Mjongo—
stand out prominently. These men were the ringleaders of the attack
in question. The former, otherwise known as David, had, years
before, been turned out of the tribe by the Chief on account of
seditious practice, but, during the last Boer War, he associated with
Mjongo, a member of the same tribe, and returned to his old haunts
near Byrnetown, under the guise of a sawyer. As such, he worked in
the Enon forest along with Mjongo, but, in addition, claimed to be a
'teacher of religion.' So zealous was he in this respect that he was
soon recognized as the local leader of the Ethiopians,—a position he
held, in conjunction with another Native, until 1906. As sawyer, he
resorted to dishonest practices; as preacher, his influence was
subversive of law and order.
Mjongo, at this time, was a man of about 58 years of age. For more
than thirty years he had been employed, off and on, as a sawyer. "By
skill and assiduity," says Mr. Frank Gordon of Enon, one of his oldest
masters, "he was early taken note of by bush-owners, and must,
during all these years, have broken in some hundreds of sawyers.
Many of these set up on their own account no doubt; many formed a
sort of gang who followed Mjongo, and who, in a measure, relied on
him to support them with suitable work.... This gave him a certain
ascendancy over this class of industry throughout the district."
Although an intelligent and competent workman, and in receipt of
high wages, he was never free from debt.