“Adultery is regarded by the Africans as a kind of theft.  It is a vice, therefore, and so common that one might write a Decameron of native tales like those of Boccaccio.  And what in Boccaccio is more poignant and more vicious than this song of the Benga, which I have often heard them sing, young men and women together, when no old men were present?—­

’The old men young girls married.  The young girls made the old men fools; For they love to kiss the young men in the dark, Or beneath the green leaves of the plantain-tree.  The old men then threatened the young men, And said, “You make us look like fools; But we will stab you with our knives till your blood runs forth!” “Oh, stab us, stab us!” cried the young men gladly, “For then your wives will fasten up our wounds."’"[77]

The laws of marriage among many tribes are very wholesome and elevating.  When the age of puberty arrives, it is the custom in many tribes for the elderly women, who style themselves Negemba, to go into the forest, and prepare for the initiation of the igonji, or novice.  They clear a large space, build a fire, which is kept burning for three days.  They take the young woman into the fetich-house,—­a new one for this ceremony,—­where they go through some ordeal, that, thus far, has never been understood by men.  When a young man wants a wife, there are two things necessary; viz., he must secure her consent, and then buy her.  The apparent necessary element in African courtship is not a thing to be deprecated by the contracting parties.  On the other hand, it is the sine qua non of matrimony.  It is proof positive when a suitor gives cattle for his sweetheart, first, that he is wealthy; and, second, that he greatly values the lady he fain would make his bride.  He first seeks the favor of the girl’s parents.  If she have none, then her next of kin, as in Israel in the days of Boaz.  For it is a law among many tribes, that a young girl shall never be without a guardian.  When the relatives are favorably impressed with the suitor, they are at great pains to sound his praise in the presence of the girl; who, after a while, consents to see him.  The news is conveyed to him by a friend or relative of the girl.  The suitor takes a bath, rubs his body with palm-oil, dons his best armor, and with beating heart and proud stride hastens to the presence of the fastidious charmer.  She does not speak.  He sits down, rises, turns around, runs, and goes through many exercises to show her that he is sound and healthy.  The girl retires, and the anxious suitor receives the warm congratulations of the spectators on his noble bearing.  The fair lady conveys her assent to the waiting lover, and the village rings with shouts of gladness.  Next come the preliminary matters before the wedding.  Marriage among most African tribes is a coetaneous contract.  The bride is delivered when the price is paid by the bridegroom.  No goods, no wife.  Then follow the wedding and feasting, firing of guns, blowing of horns, music, and dancing.[78]