MOTHERRIGHT 317 



discovered." 1 This remark by a lady who has resided 

 for some years in Basutoland is probably to be under- 

 stood, so far as regards the wife, by assuming a 

 general knowledge on the part of the husband of 

 his wife's habits, at which he winks unless open 

 scandal result. Mr. Mabille, an official and the son 

 of a missionary, tells us that " adultery is general : 

 every man has his mistress and every woman her 

 lover." 2 The lady just quoted adds : " In cases 

 where a chief wishes to retain the services of a man, 

 he will bestow one of his wives upon him for the 

 length of time his services are required ; but any 

 children born of this marriage belong to the chief." 3 

 It is hardly exact to speak of such a connection or of 

 similar relations previously mentioned in the present 

 paragraph, whether among the Bavenda or the 

 Basuto, as a marriage, because in none of the cases 

 would a bride-price have been paid. The wife tem- 

 porarily bestowed upon a follower is in law the chiefs 

 wife still ; and for this reason it is that the children 

 she may bear will belong to him. 4 What really 

 happens is that the chief lends a wife to a follower, 

 usually a headman, in order to " raise children to 

 the kraal." 5 Nor are we surprised to find that among 

 the Basuto, as among other peoples whom we shall 

 consider hereafter, it is a hospitable duty on the part 

 of a chief when visited by another chief to offer him one 

 of his women during his stay. 6 Of the coast-tribes 

 parallel customs are recorded. If the pregnancy be the 



i Martin, 87. 2 Journ. Afr. Soc. v. 365. 



3 Martin, loc. cit. 



* K. Endemann, Zeits. f. Ethn. vi. 40. 



6 Hewat, 108. 6 Zeits. f. Ethn. vi. 33. 



