The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-01-29
ZULUI.AND.
Tho People and the BiessIngs OF Civil
zatIon.

zntion.
Cleveland Leader
Zuldland and the people thereof are
interesting topics. The zulus are remark.
able for their fine physiques and handsome
features. A reporter met the Rev. William
Mellen, Of New England yesterday and
learned from him some very interesting
things regarding Southern Africa. Rev.
Mellen returned from Natal in 1875, after
an absence among the Zulus Of twcnty.four
years, during which time he acted rs mis-
sionary. Natal is as large rs the State OF
New Hampshire and Vermont, and con.
tains about 400, 060 Zulus and &C, 900 whites,
mostly English. 1t is estimated that there
are as many Zulus in Zululand as in Natal.
The English government directs the ship
OF State in Natal, but in Zululand the hea-
thens have everything their own way and
conduct affairs according TO their pleasure.
The people live in huts, which they enter
on their knees on account OF the littlenesS
OF the doors.
When a young man wishes to get mar
ried he selects some maiden and buys her
OF her father for so many head Of cattle.
She is compelled to go when sold whether
she wishes to or not: She is given a hut
Of her own, and shares the affections Of
her husband with as many more wives
as his means permits. Each wife has u
hut OF her own, which shows the wisdom
Of the Zulu benedict. When girl is mar
ried witch doctor cuts small gashes in
her hands and fills them with white
powder OF some kind, which, penetrating
TO every corner Of tho anatomy, makes il
dangerous for other men than her husband
10 flirt with her. Married women wear
short skirts Of cowhide, and red. arrange
ments on their heads, insignias Of virtue
and propriety, and no "mashing" is coun-
tenanced by them or any one else. Girls
are not SO copiously clothed as matrons,
but are as susceptible to the bewitching
charms Of the males as their sisters are in
this country.
The men usually wear hide aprons, but
are gradually adopting plug tobacco and
paper collars. Before the educated white
man set foot in Natal drunkenness and
prostitution were unknown; stealing was
unheard Of, and socially the Hulus were as
happy as the former occupants Of Eden.
The civilized EngliBhman, however, has
changed the order Of things, aud while he
plants missions and spreads the gospel, he
also plants grog.shops and spreads disease
and misery. The Zulus-do not worship
anything, and are n living denial Of many
theological doctrines. They believe in
witches and evil spirits and imagine all ill.,
ness and misfortune attributable to them.
When person is under the spell OF a
witch doctor is summoned who goes
through the ordeal OF smelling" out the
witch, which is often times found in some
member OF the community, who on this
account is dangerous to society and is
therefore killed. When any one dies
red sticks are placed about him
rs barriers 10 evil spirits, and
when night comes his relatives bear
him away secretly and place him in hole
in the ground in some out OF the way
place, where witches are not liable to find
him, as they are said to use the lesl OF the
dead TO carry on their neiarious undertake
ings.
In Natal an unmarried Zulu can secure
board in a strictly private family within
two minutes walk OF the postollicO for
seyenty.tlye cents month. This does not
include washing and mending. The Znlus
never heard OF Epicurus, and therefore are
unaCQuainted with boned turkey and sour
kraut. They never eat but one thing at q
time, so that when they have boiled green
corn they have nothing else; the same way
with sour milk. The doctrines OF Miss s.
Anthony have even gone to Iululand, for
the men remain at home in the shade with
the babies while the women tend the cattle
and grub the bush. Every mother is re-
sponsible for the actions Of her children;
husbands are responsible for their wives;
under chiefs are responsible for the hus-
bands; the high chiefs, OF whom there are
fourteen, are responsible for the under
chiefs, and the king does as he pleases, just
like any iunctionary OF the same rank.
The soil OF Zululand is fertile, producing
rice, cotton, sugar, and all the tropical
fruits. The people belong TO the Ratlir
r0ce, but are superior 10 tho African me-
groes in intellect and physique. The
English waged q war against them in 1879,
which, in the opinion OF many, was unjust.
King Cetawayo was captured and sent to
England, and the Zulu army scattered to
the four winds. Rev. Mellen speaks high
" OF the English method OF governing Ma
| tai, and asserts that the natives like En-
glsh rule better than their Own, which
leads one to remark that they must be q
queer people indeed. Rev. Mellen admits
that the average Zulu was happier and
better before lie got himself under the en-
lighted influence OF the white man, but
that the latter are determined to settle in
Africa with their stocks Of LIQUOR and cor
ruption, and the only way 10 offset them
| Is to send missionaries and Bibles. The