South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-05-21
MISSION WORKER
AMONG AFRICANS
RELATES CUSTOMS
Gives Interesting Lecture at
United Brethren Con-
ference.


terms Of wives" said r. L. Embree.
science teacher in Albert academy.
Frectown. Africa, Thursday night
when ne addressed :he delegates of
the 81 Joseph branch OF the
Womans Missionary association az
the United Brethren church
Il viii tell you OF the life of
African woman. beginning when she
rs a baby" she said The infants
are tied 20 the back Of the mother
by strips OF cloth and little regard
is paid 20 the child although she
might suffer from the hot sun UNI
which the mother works.
Crust OF Bread.
ITO keep the children quiet
crust ~ bread IS given 10 the baby
az a paciher IL matter not how
often this crust falls upon the mud
floor. the mother places IL in the
mouth Of the baby when IL mani
tests signs OF restiessness.
I'm this country when "a baby no
longer wants TO eat we take away
the food but IL IS not SO in Africa
The mother forces a pap. which is
made Of corn starch and water. into
the baby's mouth, Compelling by
sheer strength the swallowing of it,"
The stomach OF the child swells out
Ike an Inflated balloon.
This feeding is thought by the
natives TO be beneficial. although
one out OF two children live 70 the
age OF one year.
las the girl grows older she is
assigned 10 various tasks. such as
carrying water and assisting her
mother with the household duties.
No Choice.
ION arriving at the age OF ma
turity she is placed in a school
known as the Bundu. where she is
taught the things that mother
must know on leaving this school
she is married.
What chance does an African
girl have in the selection Of her
mate? None whatsoever. She has
nothing to say.
An African has as many wives as
he can support and the wealth of
the individual Is reCkOued by the
number OF wives he has After the
installments are Iaid on the wife
the marriage takes place.
The duties OF the wife are caring
for the home, rearing OF the chill
dren, cultivation Of the crops reap
ing and storing Of the harvest and
many Is the time when she builds
the house The only way a woman
can secure any consideration or af-
lection IS BY bearing childen.
Sells Children.
The African desires children not
because he loves them but because
ne can sell his daughters and live
or the proceeds of the transactions
while he makes his boys assist him
in whatever trade he is engaged.
which. however, for the most part
consists I'm doing nothing.
When an African tires OF his
wife or IS displeased with her con-
duct. he thinks nothing of sending
her back TO her people. This is a
great disgrace 10 the family as well
as a hardship because the money
the husband paid for the girl must
be returned, together with all the
presents he gave his wife. or their
equivalent, and the amount Of
money he spent on her for food and
clothing.
The only way that a woman can
get rid Of her husband is by putting
poison in his food. This practice
has been stopped, as all the wives
of the husbands who die of poison
ing are buried with him SO YOU
see the chance OF the woman in Az
rican society.
African Religion.
The religion Of the African is a
religion of fear They offer sacri-
hces TO their god or gods so that he
or they will not interfere with their
lives. There is one god. however.
10 whom they pray fer success. This
god is found In an ant hill. | have
often seen dishes of rice at the side
OF an ant hill.
"In the schools which the mis-
siOnaries have built the young girls
are taught 20 sew, cook and keep
house The care Of children mar
ketinE and washing IS also a part OF
tie education. The principal ar
ticle OF food is rice and we show
them how 10 use other foOdstuffs,
thus varying the diet We have
them learn 20 use not our utensils
but their own so that when they
return 20 their people they will
implements OF CUlinery.
Washing is done by beating the
vet garments with heavy wooden
paddles. the use OF which wears out
The clothes during the course Of
three trips to the wash-tuh. We
demonstrate the action of soap on
dirt"
Mr.. Embree concluded his lecture
BY making an appeal for recruits
for ire missionary work.
Mrs. r. I. Embree spoke on
home missions. while Mrs A. T.
Howard told Of missions in Japan
Benediction was given by Rev J..
". Lake. Miss Ruth Mccoy acted
as chairman.