The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-12
IN THE FRENCH WEST INDIES.
STUDIES AMONG THE PEOPLE OF
MARTINIQUE AND GUADELOUPE.


Race They Are-COnditi"ns That
Led Up 10 the Recent Outbreaks.
Incidence. Superstition and Hatred
of the Dominant Whites-SinguIar
Burial Ccrcmonies-Thc Leper Col
ony-The Carnot Lycee.
fCopvrieht. 1900 by Frances Drake)
New York March 9-Tae sea nowhere
surrounds more interesting patches of
land than Martinique, the scene Of the
recent uprising against existing conditions
and the powers shat be, and its sister
French West Indian island, Gaudeloupe.
These islands possesses indescr1bahte
scenic beauty, great natural advantages
ana unusual resources, but visitors 10
view their picturesque scenes are com
paratively few, their advantages are NOT
utilized and their resources are unde-
veloped For Martinique and Gaudeoupe
have stood still for a century-yes, for
two. The dominant whites run the
government in an INDECENT but overbear-
ing fashion. and the common people suh-
init with hidden sullenness just as they
did long before the birth Of the great re-
public 10 the north that some day may
add both Martinique and Gaude oupe to
lis West Indian possessions. Possibly,
though not probably, the late disturbance
may be the sign of genuine awakening
OF the people from their protiaoted sium-
bers.
The common people of Martinique and
Csaudeloupe are mostly negroes and part
breeds and singular race Cney are, as
different from the colored elements in the
population of Cuba and Porto Rico as
they are different from the negroes OF the
United States. To any one who knows
the negroes of the States, those on Span
iSn-America are a strange and interesting
variation, but they are almost common
place beside their near neighbors in the
French West Indies. 1t seems incredible
that two peoples so much alike in tradi-
ton and growing out of the same stock
should nave drifted so far apart. In the
course OF rather protracted visits 10
Gaudeloupe and Martinique, l have stu
died the natives closely, and have been
fairly amazed at their intricate charac-
ter. From their religion TO their cooking,
an is mystery with them. Nominafy
Catholics they are in reality mysalcs idol-
ators They hate the dominant wh1te
race with an Intensity not the less pro-
nouuced because it is moi often manifest
The French West Indian hasn't much
mind but a great deal of Imagination
and rum, and which must be fed He de-
Snands promise of something for nothing;
a release from present troubles and protsc-
tion against anticipated ones. rms is the
whole scheme of his religious belief. IL
is for this he offers sacrifices, practices
self denial or participates in fantastic or
vulgar ceremony as creed or cult demands
During and prior to the rainy season, he
engages the service of a priest to offer Up
PRAYERS, say mass and burn candles at SO
much for each. in order that the ram may
not create floods, that thunders may not
be loud, that the lightning may be harm-
less. That is AL he knows about the true
faith.
In difference 10 some other belief, fes-
tiyities ard dancing are wholly aband-
oned during the rainy months, but the
quantity of rum consumed IS hmlteu only
to the number of sous each Individual nap
pens 10 possess. When, in spite OF trl-
urnphal marches and masses, and earth-
ouake or cyclone visits the island, the
neonle repeat their ceremonies and thank
The good Lord that they were not visited
with both simultaneously. If the boats are
wrecks on the shore or sunk completely
out of sight and the majority OF dwellings,
are unroofed the people only pray ana
sav. at was the good Lords will
when a stupid negro breaks the Ice ma
chine and a swelter ng population is dying
of thirst and protest is lodged, the only
response is. Its the good Lord who
broke it."
Denth in the French West indies.
The French West Indian superstitions
are almost infinite in number Every
animal insect or bird is of good or evli
augur. and every popularity OF character
or action, every mark of individuality mas
its mystical signiicances. Death is
very serious thing and the candles and
COSTLY
as numerous as purse can bear. fun
eral in church, with a goodly display of
light at the altar and the tolling of bells,
means 500 francs When the body and
followers are allowed simply to enter the
church and mass is said without candles,
the cost is about 300 flames. For a few
francs ehe poor may stop at the church
door, but may not go beyond the entrance.
There the friends and relatives of the
dear departed may wait with their sad
charge few moments or an hour, or
even two. When the good father gets
ready he will come and say a few words
over the corpse and they are satisfied.
Their mourning rites are as curious as
their church rites Not only the relatives
of the dead but all the friends of the
family as well, old women and young chill
dren literally don sackcloth and sprinkle
their heads with ashes. II a mourning
woman possesses "A pair of earrings as
large as DluulS, Sut CONtlS them over
with piece of black cloth or velvet. as
an Indication of her grief, and the sight
of the great black, greasy appendages
strikes the stranger most forciD!y.
The only thing that remains normal
about the women in periods following be-
reavement is their pride in their hair.
1t is the chief delight and its dressing
the chief occupation of the dusky women
OF Martinique and Guadeloupe. alike in
days of mourning and in days of Joy |
have seen them sitting on the pavement
for more than an hour at "a time engaged
in this pleasing duty They never at
tempt to dress their own heads hut rem
der the service for each other. The hair
is first parted in the middle and from the
crown across, back of the cars. The side
sections. wen oiled, are then drawn to-
gether in front OF the ears. Next the
strands are plated and pinned into a small
knot-after which a sort OF rosette, made
of black coolie hair, is pinned over It,
and then the triumph of her art the Ma
dras, is adjusted.
The women are not beauties. as q rule
but they are strong and sturdy, and their
longevity is phenomenal. II is asserted