The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-05-15
RIGHTS OF ZULU WOMEN.

Miss Colenso, daughter Of Bishop
Colenso, in an interview published il
the London Humanitarian, says: #
"The relation OF parents to theit
children is a very good one. Homo
thy father and thy mother is the 6rta
commandment in Zululand, and tn
custom of each wife having a separ,te5
hut conduces to the respect in whiehs
children hold their mother. Her viii
is law in the home and the charged
the family belongs specially to ha..
So much is the home the wite's castle
that she can shut the door against ths
husband when she chooses. IhHs
heard an angry woman say to her bnt
band, Not scrap Of food shall you 5
eat to-day and he SUNK away quits
meekly. The women do all the fed
work, except the large tracts, vhish
are hoed by the Zulu soldiers ia TIM
of peace, consequently the crops h
long to the wife, and this gives hR
additional power. Our civilizations
breaking down this custom throusl
the importation Of OK plows, which
brings men into the field, becauseitis
against rative etiquette for women tes
have anything to do with cattle. .sE
''But is not this an improvement
for under the old system the women
must have been little better than beaaI
Of burden?" SsN
''They were certainly not that, /"
piled Miss Colenso with decision. q
Zulu woman, with hut of own and
her children around her, and aai1l (
little patch Of land which she culsly S.
ed and reaped the produce, assistedby
her boys before they were old enough
10 serve the chief, was a person q B
some consequence. lam not sure but
lint many English wives might envJ
Ter life OF freedom and Independents,
Ind as to field labor, it is not regarded s.
)ya Zulu woman as more drudgery tbia b
he work about the house performed b
Inclination. There is q sort Of leip
ear arrangement which permits . gil 81
o make the proposal OF marriage. N#'
s managed with the utmost decorun VI
nd secrecy. For example, ifa zuIa n
'irl has set her heart upon o yonns q
nan she will suddenly disappear iron 81
Ter home-her relations are not snip
'osed to know where she has gone
nd taking q confidential friend viii u
er, she goes to the home Of the ~
ored swain and if his parents receive 81
er she is treated as his future bride
nd arrangements for the wedding % a 4
in. If she does not find favor win Il
ae young man, her visit IS not ~
eived, she IS returned to her ova q &
ONE with thanks, the object OF ha 81
nrequitted attachment usually max q
lg a handsome present to ease be-
ceilings. l
els there anything answering to OF q
lvorce laws amongst the Zulus, MD # Il,
olenso?"
"There is such a thing as divorces III. .1s
husband may sent his wife Deg.
ome for misconduct. If this is pro'ese
len the husband takes back the cstIls s
hich he gave as a marriage Offering
"Then, does a Zulu husband pui,
lase his wife,"
"The cattle which bridegroom N
lnds over to the brides family sie
1t the price paid for wife, Du'S 81
erely kind OF hostage for her gooa Is
nduct. If she misbehaves she Coz
elk to her father and the cattle ~
turned. The higher the rank OF Il
dy the larger the Offering is expec,e.. 8
be. When a great chief ,narr'es, =. 9
incipal wife, who is to bethe mo'na q
the heir, the whole tribe make ~
'ering to the brides parents, as y az.
noidered a national duty. Ine!.
IS originally no mercenary feeling I
Q matter, but we have INTRODUCES
at by fixing the number Of tho g. h
}. The marriage law is very SUI"
longst the the Zulus, and it Is e Us