African Noble - Education of women in his tribe

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2021-11-30/239 CARITAS HOUSE OF STUDIES. ROSEMOUNT, BOOTERSTOWN, CO. DUBLIN MEDICAL MISSIONARIES OF MARY. COLLON, CO. LOUTH. AN AFRICAN NOBLE TELLS US OF THE TRADITIONAL EDUCATION OF THE WOMEN OF HIS TRIBE - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - The education or preparation of their female children for life was considered by the Efiks a very important duty, and the responsibility of bringing them up successfully in life even far more ominous than that of the male; because they held that a disgrace brought upon the family by a girl was worse than that caused by a boy. From childhood the girl was brought up in the habits of obedience, truthfulness, politeness and honesty. She was made to take part as far as she could in the varied domestic work of the family. The sweeping of the floor, washing of the dishes and the running of petty errands constituted her principal distance at this early stage. When she was strong enough, to walk some distance she was allowed to accompany the other children to the spring to bathe if this was not very far. As she grew stronger she was made to carry a small vessel with which she brought home some water. The first quantity of water was always received with the greatest joy by the parents who very often marked the occasion by some sort of reward which might be a piece of cloth, a hen, a dish or anything in concrete form to show their appreciation. Every first laudable act or achievement of her life was similarly rewarded. In this way, she was greatly encouraged to be of service and to do good. Training in farm work was also given gradually. After the child had been watching the parents at work for a considerable length of time, she would begin to feel like having her own garden. As soon as the parents observed that longing, they would at once clear a spot near the compound for the child, and after preparing it for cultivation, they would give the child some articles such as beans and maize to grow and look after, Pride of ownership and a certain sense of responsibility were at once engendered apart from a love of plants and a care for them. As was mentioned before, a hen was a customary reward. She had to look after this, watching its movements, growth and development. What better lesson in nature could she have? In addition, kindness to and love of animals was taught. The running and jumping games often practiced by village children made for their physical development, while the songs and folklore generally given by the grown-ups during moonlight nights afforded excellent mental training. In fact, there were native games of immunerable descriptions which had wonderful educative effect not only on the body, but also on the mind and the spirit. So much for the early education. The period of adolescence was perhaps the one in which greater care was necessary as during this period she became conscious of evil and could easily be led into habits of impurity by contact with bad companions. To guard against this, the child was as early as…