The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1900-09-05

n IL IN Liberia. Where the Miis'A
Mother Commands the son-in-
Law. and lie Obess

IBERIA. "a NuinNu can t"nl""i'N '"N
services OF her sons-ln-law for certain
duties, and It matters not what their
other obligations are, they must obey
her. For that reason daughters are
exceedingly desirable possessions
among Liberians,
"When child Is born some member
Of the family Is sent at once 10 the
devil doctor 10 inquire who Il is and
what It's name shall be. He goes up
into the house top, taking with him a
COW horn. This he blows 10 call the
devil, and the devil Is supposed 10 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. II sometimes re-
ceives the same name IL had before, and
sometimes the name Is changed.
"a young mother is never permitted
10 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 n stick Of stove
wood, outdoors, with pepperboard by
their side. They will rub one finger In
the pepper on the board, then thrust 1t
as far down the child's throat as possi-
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 10 its person at
its wrists, waist and ankles These are
intended to coax 1t to walk. The moth
er then takes 1t to a devil doctor, who
makes charm, which she ties about its
waist. But often l have seen children
without even these charms, and when
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 10 carry
back. If its parents should dress it pr
give it anything it would not stay, but
would take the things and be gone.
Therefore 1t is forbidden clothing and
ornaments, In hopes that 1t Will change
It's mind and remain on earth.
''When q 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 hammer to
stay. They are worn night and day
until the arms become sore. Then they
may be taken off, for the scars will al
ways be there to prove that the girl
wore jewelry when she was young. Ii
woman grows up without these marks
on her arms 1t is lasting source OF an
noyance to her; for should her neigh
bors become vexed they cast 1t up "a
her that her mother was too poor to put
iewelry IN her child. This is 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 IL
taken to live with her betrotheds peo-
pie, where she viii be associated with
him and learn This fashion" She II
supposed 70 study his wishes and livs
to please him.
"A man going off TO his work in tht
morning is never sure he will tine
his wife on his return. 1t is a common
thing for her to run away. and she u
considered q very queer woman who hai
not at some time left her husband
When be goes visiting he usually takes
her with him, 70 carry his chair, ligh1
his pipe and make sure of having hel
when he gets back. After harvest th'
women 60 on dancing parties from
town TO town, and are entertained Will
feasting by their friends.
Every town has ite head woman
who judges and punishes offender
without asking the advice or consent 0
the men. have asked for IN explana
ton of this custom, and have alway'
been told; Woman is the mother o
man. and he ought TO hsten TO her.
Some OF these women are remarkably
orators. have often seen one OF then
standing In the midst Of crowd Q
people-kings. chiefs, soldiers AM
women-all seated on the ground, an
socording profound attention to tn
'queeds,' Us they call her. The men 0
town dare do nothing TO which tn
women seriously object, a. they thin
women have more influence with Co
and the spirit world"