FASHIONS IN CONGO

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 52, 24 November 1937, Page 14

FASHIONS IN CONGO

NATTVES LOVE MAKE-UP ' "If we missionaries in the Belgian Congo did not struggle liard against the custom of make-up, . the native girls would be all. covered with paint and powder," said Mrs. A. B. Palmer, who recently returned on furlough after a long period of service in the Congo. Since Mrs. Palmer went to the Belgian Congo more than 25 years ago she has seen a tremendous change in the country and the customs of the Bantu natives. Twenty-five years ago they wore no clothes but now they are very keen to wear all the latest European costumes they can get. "We discourage any fornis of overdress among the - girls and prefer that they wear simpie frocks," said Mrs. Palmer. "The native boys arc just as conceited," she added. Recently, an enterprising Portuguese introduced new brass covers for teelh. Now the native boys forego two months' salary in order to purchase this brass covering, which they think resembles a gold tooth. "Another problem which confronts missionaries there is polygamy, though this is fast dying out. It would not have been so difficult for the young people were it not for their parents, whose family honour depended on the number of wives they had. "One chief whom I know has 30 wives, but his son is a monogamist. "The Belgian Congo is a very different place to-day from the Belgian Congo we knew 25 years ago. Now it is customary to have a bi-weekly air service and to make a journey to England in four days. to the past it took my husband and ms tight weeka fo auke th© saroe Journey."