Unusual Farm of Money.

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 103, 31 October 1938, Page 4

Unusual Farm of Money.

Rotnrians were introduced to an unfamiliar form of money at their weekly luncheon, states the l*. 13. Herald, when Mr- J. Ronaldson, .of British West Africa, displayed R-issi pennies during an address on life in Africa. These ‘•pennies” are rod's of iron, mined and smelted by the natives, and having lugs at either end similar to turn-screws. 'They have a value of Id apiece, and are the only form of money recognised by the .Kissi tribe of Sierra Reoue territory. When they buy cows, they carry to the buying-place the equivalent of £3 to £3 10s in these rods, which constitutes a substantial weight bf iron. They also, use Kixsi pennies in buying their wives, of which a man may own an unlimited nuiViber. Women are sold like cattle, and at approximately the same price. The difference- between white men and natives, Mr.. Ronaldson -saidy-wns.-thy.t_4i white marriage cost- the bridegroom 7s (Id for a marriage license, but lie had to keep the bride afterwards; while the native purchase of a wife cost perhaps £3 10s, but the bride had afterwards to keep her husband.