point they tapered off to a point at the top.  These cages were made of the broad leaves of the pandanus tree, sewn quite close together so that no light, and little or no air could enter.  On one side of each is an opening which is closed by a double door of plaited cocoanut tree and pandanus tree leaves.  About three feet from the ground there is a stage of bamboos which forms the floor.  In each of these cages, we were told there was a young woman confined, each of whom had to remain for at least four or five years without ever being allowed to go outside the house.  I could scarcely credit the story when I heard it; the whole thing seemed too horrible to be true.  I spoke to the chief and told him that I wished to see the inside of the cages, and also to see the girls that I might make them a present of a few beads.... [A girl having been allowed to come out] I then went to inspect the inside of the cage out of which she had come, but could scarcely put my head inside of it, the atmosphere was so hot and stifling.  It was clean and contained nothing but a few short lengths of bamboo for holding water.  There was only room for the girl to sit or lie down in a crouched position on the bamboo platform, and when the doors are shut it must be nearly or quite dark inside.  They are never allowed to come out except once a day to bathe in a dish or wooden bowl placed close to the cage.  They say that they perspire profusely.  They are placed in these stifling cages when quite young, and must remain there until they are young women, when they are taken out and have each a great marriage feast prepared for them.  One of them was about fourteen or fifteen years old, and the chief told me that she had been there for five years, but would soon be taken out now.  The other two were about eight and ten years old, and they have to stay there for several years longer.  I asked if they never died, but they said “No."[274]

They [the Azande] are extremely jealous of their womenfolk, whom they do not permit to live in the same village with themselves.  The women’s village is generally in the bush, about 200 yards or so distant from that of the chief.  Women are never seen in an Azande village, the pathway to their own being kept secret from all outsiders.  This system while being something like that observed by the Arabs, has the important distinction that the women are not shut up.  They are free to come and go and do what they like, except visit the men’s village.  In common with the entire native population of Central Africa, the custom among the Zande is that the men do no work that is not connected with the chase or the manufacture of implements.  All agriculture is carried on by the women.[275]

From the time of engagement until marriage a young lady is required to maintain the strictest seclusion.  Whenever friends call upon her parents she is expected to retire to the inner apartments, and in all her actions and words guard her conduct