The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-06-03
THE MorHER-IN-LAw,s PARADISE.
In Liberia the Wife's Mother Com
peIs the Obedience of Son-in-iav.

In Liberia the Wttes "ot"eF SOA
peIs the Obedience of Son-in-iasv.
Liberia is the paradise of mothers-in-
law" said Miss Agnes McAllister, the
author of "A Lone Woman in Africa,
who has been for the past twelve years
in charge of the Garraway Mission.
Liberia. "A woman can command the
services of her sons-in-law for certain du-
ties and it matters not what their other
obligations are they must obey her. For
that reason daughters are exceedingly de-
sirable- possessions among Liberians.
.'When child is born some member OF
the family is sent at once to the devil
doctor to inquire who 1t is and what lts
name shall be. He goes up into the house
ton taking with him a COW horn. This
he blows TO call the devil; and the deVil
is supposed to tell who it is that has come
hack into the world For the people be-
lieve that every newborn child Is some
deceased member of the family who has
returned to life among them II some-
time receives the same name IL nad pc
fore and sometimes the name Is changed.
"a Young mother is never permitted to
have the care of her child, an older wom-
an being called In. These nurses may be
seen any morning sitting on one OF their
common chairs, which is nothing more
than stick of stove wood-out doors
with a pepper board by their side. Tney
will rub one finger in the pepper on the
board, then thrust it as far down the
child's throat as possible, and massage
and stretolh the throat thoroughly until the
poor little creature is almost strangied
and throws up all that is in its stomach.
The wretched infant is then laid down 10
sleep on it's little mat on the floor by the
fire.
Io .fra ar
small bells are tied to Its person at its
wrists. waist and ankles. These. are In
tended to coax 1t TO walk. The mother
then takes IL to a devil doctor VINO makes
a charm which she ties about It's waist
But often / have seen children without
even these charms, and when i asked
for an explanation was told that the
child was supposed to be some one who
had returned from the spirit world only
TO find articles to carry back. II its pa
rents should dress 1t or give 1t anything
II would not stay. but would take the
things and be gone. Therefore, 1t Is for
hidden clothing and ornaments In hopes
that it will change It's mind ana remain
on EARTH
when a girl is from to 10 years Of age
she wears on her forearms brass rods
sometimes twisted in spiral and some
times bent into separate rings. These are
put on half way up to the elbow-put on
with n hammer TO stay. Iney are WoiH
night and day until the arms become sore.
Then they may be taken off, for the scars
will always be there to prove that the
girl wore jewelry when she was young If
a woman grows up without these marks
on her arms 1t Is a lasting source of an
noyance to her; for should her neighhors
become vexed they cast 1t UP to her that
her mother was too poor to put jewelry
on her child. This is a great insult as
they all aspire to be considered wealthy.
"Girls are usually betrothed at years Of
age and when about 10 she Is taken TO
live with her betrotheds people, 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 has wife
on his return. 1t Is a common thing for
her to run away, and she is considered a
| very queer woman who has not at some
time left her husband. When he goes Wis
itlng he usually takes her with him, TO
carry his chair, light his pipe, and to
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.
have asked for an explanation of this
custom and have always been told. "Wo-
man Is the mother of man. and he ought
to listen to her. Some of these women are
remarkable orators. 1 have often seen one
LOT them standing In the midst of a crowd