Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-02-03

THE TRUTHABOUTi
THE BOER WOMEN ;
: :. :: :: :; BY ROSA c. EICHORN :. :. :. :. :.


the queen Of the domestic and social
realm.
Life on an Isolated ranch Is neces-
sarily q matter OF much routine and
hard labor That is exactly what It Is
Tor the South African women. Like
their Dutch ancestors, they are contln-
ually scrubbng and polishing for de-
spite frequent lbels to the contrary
they consider cleanliness next to godli-
ness and are willing 10 work in uphold
ing this conviction. A clean and ORDER
ly household IS their pride. The wife
and mother dominates the home life.
But the strongest characteristic Of the
Boer women is their rigid idea OF pu-
rity The fatal gift OF beauty rarely, II
ever falls TO the lot Of the Boer woman.
Such things as charm Of manner or
grace Of carriage have never entered
into her aspirations. She has always
been used 20 hard work. and upon her
ability 10 attend TO her household and
manage the farm depends largely her
prospects OF marriage, for only the well
20 DO Boer keeps women servants. Even
then the housewife looks closely after
the work
Although the women OF the upper
classes receive the benefits Of culture
betting their station, they are not
what advanced reformers call types Of
"the bower woman" Their energies and
tastes are naturally severely domestic,
and an classes are dlligent readers Of
the Bible Some persons Of leisure cul-
tlyate the higher forms Of literature
These are taking advantage Of the good
schools and Grey college In South AZ
/ rica
The Boer husband and father Is con-
| tent with his home life; he only desires
his pipe to cheer the passing hour, and
to this he deyotes himself with the
same assldulty that his wife bestows
upon her polishing, II Is his constant
companion. The wife and daughters
find almost their sole diversion In dane
ing. Their only musical instrument Is
crudely constructed violin. II serves
its purpose, and they delight in it's
weird music. on the slightest pretext
they arrange for n dance ball party"
which lasts for "a hours, with intervals
for rest. The young men and women
gather from miles around, many max
ing a two days journey for the sake OF
few hours Of pleasure
OF travel for other social purposes or
for sightseeing there Is little Sons and
daughters Of old land holders marry
and settle down near their parents,
BY a peculiar way Of wearing a silver
comb a Boeress indicates her condition
I'm life as maiden. wife or widow. To
the position OF this comb Is due the
amount Of attention bestowed upon her
at the Sunday church services, The
matches are mostly all arranged here,
and when a desirable party Is selected
the young man undertakes the court
ship.
In this connection a curious custom Is
prevalent. After the terms Of the con-
tract have been arranged by their re-
spectiye parents the young people are
left alone with lighted candle on the
table between them as well as large
pot Of coffee and a plate Of sweet cakes.
The fate OF the sutton is decided by tho
life Of the candle. Should the lady ex-
tingush the flame, he knows that his
suit is rejected II she allows the cam
die TO burn down into the socket. II is
sign that he has found favor in her
eyes.
Once welded the Boer woman ac-
cepts her fate with the stoicism charac-
teristic Of the Indian squGw. sewing.
cooking cleaning and farming as me-
cessty demands