NEGRESSES AS COOKS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2153, 20 May 1914, Page 2

NEGRESSES AS COOKS

Probably few people suspect Central Africa of harbouring somo of the most wonderful cooks in tho world,'but the fact was announced by Mrs. M. French Sheldon, t.he_ weli-knowu traveller and explorer, durine tho course of a teeinro on "Woman's Place rvitd Work in.Snva.ge Afriea," delivered before tbn University of London Anthropological' Club ■ at the London School of lCc.-onoiiii.es-> * states the "Standard."

■ "These African pep'© are the most wonderful and fastidious cooks in tho world," said tho.lecturer; "their rooking is marvellous, and they knott- practically overy tree and plant that siniu* ■ lates a ftovottr. I 1 or ii>stnnccr, tho 110press chef is in no way dismayed by the lack of onions and. pepper; sh<s merely gathers tlie bark of a certain tree and scrapes tho inner side to get ■ tho ono, and searches for a particular 'plant, which, rightly used, produces the flavour of the other; nnd her skill and pationco in bloudinc new flavours and concocting frwh dishes aro unbounded. With theso powers at her command, it is_ scarcely to bo wondered at that wives in Central Africa aro in great, demand."

The possession of many wives is. in fact, a sign of wealth, and as their industry is by no means confined to. tiro kitehr®. the chief who own? ISOfi Wives is really the owner of an armv of workers, who cook, wash, garden, and otherwise ' justify their existor.ee by perforwiwr tasks nsnallv remmled as men's worli. Oeeasiouallv, in' suite of then- useful • qualities, the women have a I'on.lb time. Marriaa,o laws are rigorous, and some faults' or crimes are nvilHsbed with great severity. A childless wife may find herself returned

to aer father, woWded the ,f, P brought her husband go with her. The onlv consolation she has is that, her position in no war damages her value as a wife if another suitor should happen to present himself. ■ Her matrimonial experience i s considered rather <i desiralde, asset as ha'viii"- taught her exactly how a .wife should Miave.