40 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academij. 



" In the society for girls," says Dr. Blydeii, a native,' " which goes by 

 various names in different parts of Africa— called Bundu in our neighbourhood 

 (Sierra Leone) and Suna further north among the Jollofls — the teachers are 

 women only : usually the older women 'in the neighbourhood are selected for 

 this office, but always women of experience. Instruction is given in 

 everything which prepares a woman to act her part in the existing social 

 order — everything necessary to enable the young mother to perform the 

 function which her position involves. The women who impart these lessons 

 are either married or aged widows, and unpaid. It is a labour which is part 

 of the communal work. 



" Africa has had these institutions from time immemorial. In the Bundu 

 society or school instruction is given in all the normal and abnormal 

 complaints and diseases to which women are liable, especially as wives and 

 mothers; and all the known remedies for the prevention and cure or 

 alleviation of such diseases are taught; so that when a girl has passed 

 through the prescribed course of training, she is prepared, without extraneous 

 aid, everywhere and at all times, in the bush or in the town, to take care of 

 herself in emergencies." 



The Bundu societj' is described by Mr. J. C. Smith^ as " the real school 

 for women,, handing on from generation to generation the tribal folklore, 

 traditions, proverbs, songs, dances, instrumental music, domestic economy, 

 together with all the historic knowledge appertaining exclusively to woman 

 as the mother of the human race, and relating specially to the functions of 

 generation, the preservation, the perfection, and the continuation of the 

 human species." 



The Bundu society is intimately associated with the African marriage 

 customs. Dui'ing her course in the Bundu every African girl makes a 

 number of friends, who are spoken of as mates. One of the obligations of 

 these friendships is mutual aid in marriage. Should one of the coterie 

 happen to become the first or head wife of a eliief, and have therefore the 

 power of selecting the subsequent wives for her husband, the unmarried 

 mates have prior claims upon her for preferment. Each wife has her own 

 house and compound ; but the first or head wife has supreme authority, which 

 is enforced ; and the household duties are divided so as to relieve each woman 

 of the simultaneous burden of housekeeping and child-bearing. An African 

 woman nui'ses her cMld for two years ; and from the period of pregnancy to 

 that of weaning all marital relations are suspended. This custom lies at the 



' " African Life and Customs." By Edward Blyden, London, 190S, pp. 13, 14. 

 - Mr. J. C. Smith is the author of "Legal Tender Essays," "Money and Profit Sharing," and 

 other hooks, and lias given considerahle attention to tlie economic side of African life, 



