The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-01-01
X" ELL me how a country treats
its widows and I will tell you
how civilized it is
So declares Charles Letour-

.
So declares Charles Letour-
neau, general secretary of the Anthro-
biological Society of Paris, who asserts
that one of the signs of the worlds
progress is the Improvement IN the con-
dition of widows
This indication of the social evolution
is hobby of the famous anthropologist,
who has just published the result of his
researches
Widowhood, the French savant de-
clares, is a necessary adjunct 20 cfviliza-
ton and the treatment of bereaved wonl-
en- a comparative though not an absolute
test of enlightenment. To begin with,
widowhood does not and cannot exist IN
anarchic societies. Some kind OF mar
riase is a condition precedent. It may
not be much of a ceremony. to be sure;
it may consist in the bridegroom either
purchasing or capturing his bride, but
even this is a crude aspiration to social
order, a recognition OF customs and laws,
and is a step ahead Of the promiscuity
practiced by the Australian Kamilaroi.
NJ. Letourneau discusses the status OF
the widow IN all lands and under every
condition and the result of hts re-
searches is enough to convince anyone,
he thinks. that in most environments the
of commiseration. and this holds true
whether that lord is an indulgent pay
master TO her miiIiner and dressnaker
| or a cruel taskmaster who drives her to
| the fields.
Customs in Darkest Africa.
| In many savage tribes the condition
of the widow IS regulated IN a simple
and, for herself, a sad way The woman,
who has usually been captured or
bought, is emancipated when the hus-
band dies. She is an asset. belonging
TO the heir at law. Frequently additional
and painful duties are imposed upon
her For instance, the Hottentot woman
who has been sac unfortunate as to sur
yive her master must cut OF a finger
joint
In equatorial Africa son lnherlts the
wives OF his father, but he processes no
| aIial duties TO any of them Being him
self young and having an eye to ebony
loneliness, he treats his inherited harem
las an asset simply. anu throws Ii upon
the market If his father happen TO
have been man of quality the women
bring good prices. no matter how old or
| U-rinkIed. for 1t IS esteemed by the
t--common people n great honor 10 sue
coed to the marital privileges of 4
chief.
But it Is not so easy in primitive so
ciety to dispose of just the ordinary
commonplace widow. and to this fact.
NJ. Letourneau says, is due the uxorial
sacrifices made upon the tombs OF de-
parted spouses. Not caring TO be in
numbered with unattached women, So
ctety simply has 6, prescribed way OF
iumoIatinG them. This ia sometimes a
religious ceremonial and sometimes II 3
not. but IT is prevalent in communities
wide apart. In certain parts OF New
Zealand to this day the widow is
lstrangled at the obsequies.
When a king dies at Yourrib2s Africa,
four of his wives are expected TO com
NIT suicide on the same day AT Kat
lunra the chief wife thus immolates her.
self and the eldest son and principal
sDersonages of the kingdom must do the
same thing
Massacre Follows Kings Death
| When the king of Dahomey dies q
general massacre follows, his widows
PLAYING an important part us victims
Strange as it may appear today, the
same custom prevailed in primitive Ger
many. Savages in all countries. to what
ever race they belong. resemble each
other and repeat themselves.
| Among various people funeral Sacri-