Kaffirs, Kafirs, Kaffres or Caffres, kaf'urz, the principal race inhabiting southeastern Africa, a branch of the great Bantu family. The name is now chiefly restricted to the tribes occupying the coast districts between Cap Colony and Delagoa Bay. They differ from the negroes in the shape of the head, which is more like that of Europeans, and in the high nose, frizzled hair and brown complexion, which becomes lighter in shade in the tribes of the more southern districts. They are a tall, muscular race, frugal and simple in their habits. Their chief occupation is raising and tending cattle and hunting; garden and field work is mainly performed by women. They have many times been in fierce and bloody conflict with the English, who every time have been successful in still further circumscribing the territory of the nations.