Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1900-08-03
MOTHER IN LAWS PARADISE.
IL Is In Liberia, Where the wife's
Mother Commands the Son-in-
Law, and He 0beys.

Llberla is the paraulse OF notners-
ln-law," says Miss Agnes McAllister, the
author of "a Lone Woman in Africa"
who has been for the past 10 years in
charge of the Garraway mission, Ii.
IBERIA. "a woman can command the
services of her sons-in-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 a child is born some member
OF the family is sent at once TO the
devil doctor to inquire who it is and
what its name shall be. He goes up
into the house top, taking with him q
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 IL
nothing more than stick Of 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 q child is nine or ten months
old small bells are tied to its person at
its wrists, waist and ankles. These are
intended to coax it to walk. The moth
err then takes it to devil doctor, who
makes charm, which she ties about its
waist. But often / have seen children
without even these charms, and when
/ asked for an explanation l was told
that the child was supposed to be one
who had returned from the spirit
world only to find articles to carry
back. If its parents should dress it or
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 it will change
its mind and remain on earth.
"When a girl is from six to ten years
of age she wears on her forearms brass
rods, sometimes twisted into a spiraI
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 cir
wore jewelry when she was young. i
a woman grows up without these marks
on her arms it is lasting source of an
noyance TO her; for should her-neigh
bors become vexed they cast it up L
her that her mother was too poor to pu
iewelry on her child. This is a great
insult, as they all aspire to be consid
cred wealthy.
"Girls are usually betrothed at sever
years of age, and when about ten she il
taken to live with her betrothed's PEG
pie, where she will be associated will
him and learn "his fashion," She il
supposed to study his wishes and liv,
to please him.
"a man going off to his work in tn
morning is never sure he will fin,
his wife on his return. 1t is common
thing for her to run away. and she i
considered very queer woman who ha
not at some time left her husband
When he goes visiting he usually take
her with him, to carry his chair, ligh
his pipe and make sure of having he
when he gets back. After harvest TIL
women 60 on dancing parties from
town to town, and are entertained wit
feasting by their friends.
Every town has its head woman
who judges and Furnishes offender
without asking the advice or consent o
the men. l have asked for an explana
ton of this custom, and have Away
been told: Woman is the mother o
man, and he ought to listen to her
Some of these women are remarkabl
orators. have often seen one Of then
standing in the midst of crowd o
people-kings, chiefs, soldiers an
women-all seated on the ground, an
according profound attention to tn
queeda,' as they call her. The men G
town dare do nothing to which tn
women seriously object, as they thin
women have more influence with Go
and the spirit world"