. The Baganda . interest in their appearance. It wasthe custom of growMi-up people to bathe daily. Boys weresent to herd goats and sheep, and assist generally in suchduties as they were able to perform. They lived in the house,not of their father, but of a relative, and were cared for by hiswife, while he himself took care that they were not neglected ;their wants were but few, as they wore no clothing until theywere about six or seven years old ; they were then given agoat skin which was worn slung over the shoulders. When 76 THE BAGANDA CHAP. about ten, they were expected to perform light du
. The Baganda . interest in their appearance. It wasthe custom of growMi-up people to bathe daily. Boys weresent to herd goats and sheep, and assist generally in suchduties as they were able to perform. They lived in the house,not of their father, but of a relative, and were cared for by hiswife, while he himself took care that they were not neglected ;their wants were but few, as they wore no clothing until theywere about six or seven years old ; they were then given agoat skin which was worn slung over the shoulders. When 76 THE BAGANDA CHAP. about ten, they were expected to perform light duties such ascarrying their relatives beer and mat, or going messages forhim. If the relative saw that the boy was bright and quickhe would possibly get him into the household of some chief;there the boy, if he was attentive, might soon make his wayand become a trusted servant, and be sent upon im-portant business. He might even become a page to the King,and in this position, if he gained favour by his BOYS AND GIRL 1\ USUAL DRESS. promotion would be certain. In other cases a boy remainedwith his relative, until war broke out, when he accompaniedhim on the expedition, and perhaps distinguished himself inbattle. Much depended upon the boy himself: if he wasidle, he might go unnoticed, and never rise to be anythingmore than a peasant. Once a boy had gained favour with achief, he could obtain barkcloths or the means to buy boys, who were less clever, soon found their level asassistants to peasants, taking part in barkcloth making, fence II BIRTH, INFANCY, AND PUBERTY 77 making, and house building, while every time their turn cameto supply food for the over-chief, they had to carry it to himto the capital. Boys had a free and happy life while thetime of herding lasted ; they met together daily, and whilethe animals browsed, they had ample time for all kinds of
Size: 1619px × 1543px
Photo credit: © Reading Room 2020 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookidbaganda00joh, bookyear1911
