Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-11-25

this 10 deciC9that an Eastern CONT L-
q nitE Eherei1 women held such sway
worth looking into, and l az
"a a means Of reaching 10.
small, low island, the tsiIest
bf which rises scarcely above tue
Slevel. It is about i've miles long by
four across its widest part, and stands
solitary 10 mid-ocean without specG OF
land 70 be seen on the north, south,
east or west.
As we were rowed ashore from the
steamer We passed three large zoo ton
scnooners. This was the fleet OF the
island. IL was August, and ths ). W.
monsoon having lost It's tsrrOrs, the
sailors on board were busiiy engaged 10
getting the vessels ready for their regu-
lar eight months voyage. This annual
setting out and the annual return TO
April constitute the TWO great events OF
the Island life.
Congregated about the landing were
Erougs OF women and girls. Surely
enough. they we're all clad 10 siiSeu
gowns, striped silk most OF the %, de-
noting that their wearers were the CON-
moo people.
These gowns reach nearly to the an
kles and are made with a hole through
which 10 pass the head. The sleeves
are short ADD TO many cases very beau
tifully embroidered. A couple OF
inches OF white undeTgarmeUts show
beneath the bottom Of these gowns, and
,-Vtfs,EhOle attire TITS snug,y and dis
plays the wears charms 20 perfection.
frhs women were bareheaded ana bare
footed, Y aud although Mohaumedaus
were unveiled, which fact lends color
TO the belief that these people were az
pne time Christians.
on landing. the women came forward
and laid before Us gifts OF Irult, vegetA-
bles and eggs Receiving our thanks
through our Interpreter, they retired
and We proceeded toward the govern
ment Office. Another deDutatiou ap-
peared. and again we were made the
REGIMENTS OF gifts OF island produce.
Then followed third gift laden depu-
tation. succeeded by fourth, fifth,
a sixth and 50 on, until We began 90 Tear
that in the lavishueSS Of their hospital
tty our kind hostesses will fairly block
ade our pathway with tneir presents.
With number ten, however, the depu-
tation ended. THIS is q distinctly
Mlnlcovite Institution. Each ceputa-
l tiop represents varangL lt appears
I that the ladies' are ORGANIZED Seperate'y
L from the men. and each organization
lis termed a varangi. There sre ten OF
these, each Of which Is presided over
Inv head woman. The male crgaul-
nations are called attlTis, aud are 10
humber only pine. In other words, the
township Is divided into nlneteeo parts
tba women holding the controlling
hH In a. -
Mach varangi and attiri has Us own
mAeting house, and thus 10 the town.
which extends along the margin OF the
la4Oon for aOauta mile, there are line-
tean public bniidings, most OF tnen
| Saulntily decorated 10 bright co.ors and
finished of with something OF an e'Soor-
ate gable end. Here the members
meet 20 transact the business OF their
diyision and to perform TIE WORK which
brings 10 It's revenue.
Each head women is elected OF the
Loice Of her division and has authority
yer all the females 10 her varangl aDd
90 over the boys up 20 tue age or Z,
hen they are qualified to enter
Immunity Of men. Soc can cal To-
ther those under her whenever public
ryice requires u
II ne alLirls are Cpn4-~@D- 'u lA~~L
same maoner, except that their
TX consists Of boat building, car
ptry. fishing and other male occupa-
ps.
Inc relations Of the sexes 10 Minieoy
re peculiar 20 say the least 10 the
rst place a man takes ooly one wife,
Vhlch for a people OF their religion is
sraoEe TO begin with. Then tie won
Is a. the head OF the house and not
amap3 indeed. that individual counts
title The house belongs 10
and al that Is 10 PrsA
men belong 20 pm
frfartoru nrovas