The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-07-06
MOTHER IN LAWS paradise.
Mother Commands the Son-in-
Law, and He Obeys.

AAWp anu kAG OOGShs
Liberia is the paradise of mothers
in-law," says Miss Agnes McAllister, the
author of "a Lone Woman in Africa"
who has been for the past IL years in
charge of the Garraway mission, liz
IBERIA. "a woman can command the
services of her sons-in-law for certain
duties, and 1t matters not what their
other obligations are, they must obey
her. For that reason daughters are
exceedingly desirable possessions
among Liberians.
"When a child is born some member
OF the family is sent at once to the
devil doctor to inquire who it is and
l'what its name shall be. He goes up
into the house top, taking with him
COW horn. This he blows to call the
devil, and the devil is supposed to tell
who it is that has come back into the
world. For the people believe that
every newborn child is some deceased
member of the family who has returned
to life among them. 1t sometimes re-
ceives the same name it had before, and
! sometimes the name is changed.
"A young mother is never permitted
to have the care of her child, an older
woman being called in. These nurses
may be seen any morning sitting on
one of their common chairs, which is
nothing more than stick CT stove
wood, outdoors, with a pepperboard by
their side. They will rub one finger in
the pepper on the board, then thrust it
! as far down the child's throat as posi-
BILE, and massage and stretch the throat
thoroughly until the poor little crea-
ture is almost strangled and throws up
all that is in its stomach. The wretched
infant is then laid down to sleep on its
little mat on the floor by the fire.
when child Is nine or ten months
old small bells are tied to it's person at
its wrists, waist and ankles. These are
intended to coax 1t to walk. The moth
err then takes 1t to devil doctor, who
makes a charm. which she ties about its
waist. But often I have seen children
without even these charms, and when
I asked for an explanation ] was told
that the child was supposed to be one
who had returned from the spirit
| world only to find articles to carry
back. II its parents should dress it or
give it anything 1t would not stay, but
would take the things and be gone.
Therefore it is forbidden clothing and
ornaments, In hopes that 1t will change
its mind and remain on earth.
"When girl is from six to ten years
| of age she wears on her forearms brass
rods, sometimes twisted into spiral
and sometimes bent into separate
rings. These are put on half way up to
the elbow-put on with 4 hammer to
stay. They are worn night and day
| until the arms become sore. Then they
may be taken off, for the sears will al
ways be there to prove that the girl
| wore jewelry when she was young. If
woman grows up without these marks
On her arms it is lasting source of an
noyance to her; for should her neigh
| bors become yexed they cast 1t up TO
her that her mother was too poor to put
| ieweiry on her child. This is a great
insult, as they all aspire TO be consid-
cred wealthy.
Girls are usually betrothed at seven
years of age, and when about ten she is
| taken to live with her betrothed's peo-
| pie, where she will be associated with
him and learn "his fashion," She is
| supposed to study his wishes and live
to please him.
"A man going off to his work in the
morning is never sure he will find
| his wife on his return. 1t is common
thing for her to run away. and she Ia
considered very queer woman who has
not ut some time left her husband.
When he goes visiting he usually takes
| her with him, to carry his chair, light
his pipe and make sure of having her
| when he gets back. After harvest the
women go on dancing parties from
| town to town, and are entertained with
feasting by their friends.
Every town has its head woman,
who judges and Furnishes offenders
without asking the advice or consent of
the men. l have asked for an explana-
| tion of this custom, and have always
been told: Woman is the mother of
| man, and he ought to listen to her.
Some of these women are remarkable
orators. / have often seen one of them
| standing in the midst of crowd of
people-kings, chiefs, soldiers and
women-all seated on the ground, and
according profound attention to the
queeda,' as they coll her. The men of
town dare do nothing to which the
women seriously object, as they think
women have more influence with God
and the spirit world"