ictly _tabu_.
Inside the house there were three conical structures about
seven or eight feet in height, and about ten or twelve feet in
circumference at the bottom, and for about four feet from the
ground, at which 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 generall