WOMEN UNDER POLYGAMY
people," reminding him of the ancient Egyptians. They were pastoral, and grew tobacco, maize, millet and cotton in their fruitful valley.
The men were skilful ironworkers and spinners of cotton. We have here another proof of the social benefits accruing to the women of a community wherein the men work side by side with them in peaceful labours.
These aborigines are of a bronze-colour, varying in shade. They are tall and well shaped. The several sons and daughters of the chief Masea are described by Miss Werner as handsome.
The agriculturists domesticate animals and till the ground. They live in bamboo and grass huts, which are plastered with mud in the cold months. Their hunting weapons are spears and bows and arrows.
"Each wife, if there are more than one, has a hut for herself and her children," writes Miss Werner. "Generally in the less settled parts, as in the West Shire district, the whole collection of huts has a tall reed fence around it as a protection against wild animals. Sometimes two or three of these enclosures are placed close together—as in one case I remember, when you had to find your way through a perfect labyrinth of little winding passages between the fences."
The position of the women is not a hard one.
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