Letter from Sibyl Hosking to her family: 7/22/1925
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A letter from new missionary nurse Sibyl Hosking in Chissamba, Angola, to her family at home in Rockwood, Ontario, Canada.
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Missão Americana,
Chissamba, Bihé,
Via Lobito, Angola, W. Africa.
My dearest “Home-folks”:-
In the short time that I have been here I have seen many things. I shall try to make a short summary each night of the day’s happenings so that you may have some idea of what my days are like.
We always have Bible reading and we take turns in leading in prayer each morning before breakfast at our house. Immediately after breakfast each one goes off to her own work. So far mine has not been anything very regular. I often help Miss Wightman perhaps for half an hour in the house if she has something extra to do, because she has not been very well.
July 22, 1925.
This morning I went to hospital very early, helped Paulu with dressing of wounds of the man in auto accident. They are looking some better. In afternoon saw three couples married. They especially the girls march into the church very slowly and with their heads down. But they all had new cloths prettily draped and bouquets of flowers. The girls are still shy. Both now after the service, both man + wife come out of the same door. That has only been for the last two years. I was reminded so much of Min's wedding.
And my Umbundu lesson with Barnaba. He is a very fine young man. Head school-teacher and organist in the church. If you can remember the different names, you will know who I’m talking about at times. He is married and has very nice home.
July 23
Last night I was disturbed, because of jiggers in my toes. This morning “Calongisa” removed them very deftly for me. I was thankful. This morning I visited kindergarten + lower grades. Found many children with “Itch” and unclean heads. Trying to clean up heads, and we have built enclosure outside where we build a fire and scrub the children with these sores and then apply the ointment. One morning we bathed 29. I have a helper who will carry on the work. Her name is Fani.
We have supper at five o’clock. This evening there was a lovely moon. We walked backed a pretty lane and saw the fields where the girls work, also some of the village cottages, built of thatched straw. We also crossed a very pretty stream. When we started out we watched a beautiful sun-set and the boys were very happy on the school campus, playing foot-ball. One boy was kicked badly and came to me for “Iodine” and bandage. Oh, how many dressings of all kinds are needed here. Absorbent cotton, and all sorts of bandages and gauze. After our walk, Uitolia and Maria came in and Miss Campbell and I taught them to play “Dominos”.
July 24/25.
I visited hospital this morning at 9 A.M. after writing some letters and studying. After doing the patient’s dressing he said, “Tua pandula” (thankyou) and I responded “Oco.” He liked that, and smiled so kindly. I enjoyed the smile. I can only catch a very few words as yet and I know a few short sentences. I have a lesson in Umbundu every afternoon with Barnaba. Mr. Lloyd, the minister at Chissamba came in for tea. This evening one the elders from an out-station came in to greet me. He had such a kind expression, and I do enjoy their laugh and smiles. From seven to eight, I played the victrola, and our sitting room was full with some boys sitting out on the verandah. We cannot provide chairs for all, we have many small stools and some sit on the floor in front of the fire. They love to hear the hymns although they do not understand the Eng. words. They know the tunes.
July 25/25.
I’ve had a wonderful day. My first visit to an out-station by bush-car. Oh how I enjoyed the country. “Dulu” was one of the carriers a boy from the boarding school. They keep up a continual chatter amongst themselves. Sometimes giving warnings about roots, stones or ditches in the path. I walked up all hills, as they ran along I sang. Miss Campbell and I could not talk as we travelled in true African style one behind the other. At last I sang “When the Roll is called up Yonder” and I heard the voice from behind joining the chorus. How I enjoyed that. Then we began to talk in Portuguese. It is nice to have some means of contact. The elder had a beautiful garden with pineapples, oranges, bananas, tangerines, strawberries, sugar-cane, tomatoes, peas, onions, wheat, cabbage etc., all in season.
When we arrived we were told that there was a new baby to be named. It arrived the same day that I did in Chissamba. So I named her Mariona after Marion McCullough. She asked me to think of her and hold a little baby in my arms for her. I wish she could have the pleasure of holding these little black ones herself, They are always afraid of us white folk. Unless they are very tiny or big enough to understand.
July 26/25.
This has been a beautiful Sunday. After the morning service instead of having S. School as is the custom there was an out-door meeting. A small fire was built and we all gathered around to see a man burn his fetishes. He has given up his belief in these many charms, which might be anything that a person can wear to drive away sickness or any misfortune or to bring good luck. It is still It is still quite hard for some of them to get away from these old beliefs, and you will notice quite a few sort of run away as these things are put on the fire. Then we all sang, “Oh Happy Day that fixed my Choice.”
I shall avoid describing my own feelings in this letter, but Sunday is always my hardest day, in one way, because there are so many things to remind me of Home, + Sunday at Rockwood.
July 27/25.
Saw some terrible conditions of itch this morning. The little ones cannot sit in school sometimes because this is so bad. If they could only realize that it is very necessary to keep absolutely clean. To-day some Mothers heard that we were bathing the children and applying ointment so they brought their little babies. The crying was something to be remembered, but you remember how I always did enjoy helping you on Saturday nights.
July 28/25.
Today we were all invited to a Kathrine Hall’s party it is the end of her first year. We had a very pleasant time. I was up at the hospital in the morning.
July 29/25.
Treating children in out-door dept. this is the third day. I spent considerable time afterwards with my two helpers talking Umbundu. Barnaba was teaching schoolchildren a new Portuguese song. Patriotic in preparation for the visit of the High Commissioner who comes in Aug.
July 31/25.
Miss Wightman has had bad cold but is some better today. We took some pictures of the children in the O.D. dept. Baptista (boy) helps bathe older boys. Fani and Umbundu feel a little hurt. They are afraid they will lose their positions. But after explanation is made things are better. To-day we visited the home of a family with a new born baby. The Mother was on a comfortable bed and happy. It is a beautiful moon-light evening and the girls come in to ask if they might play some games outside. I wish that you could have seen them dancing and singing. Their rhythm was perfect and all their movements so light and graceful. They had a leopard and lion game and as some of them growled, I could easily imagine the wild animals were approaching. These people are very good imitators and it is certainly very interesting to watch them.
Aug 1/25.
Saturday there is no school. In the morning everyone works hard about the place cleaning and in the afternoon all the girls and the boys in the boarding schools clean themselves and their clothes so that they will be ready for Sunday. I have a little girl about 14 years old to look after my room and help me with anything I may need help with so to-day she help me wash my hair and dry it. At supper time as I walked through the kitchen I found she had washed hers and one of the other girls had done it up very nicely for her. Their fashion is very neat and tidy and looks very pretty when nicely done. They make fine braids very close to the head. To-day received very loving letter from Mary, which made me quite homesick. I do miss her so much. This morning I made two lemon pies which turned out very good. This evening we three (Miss Campbell, Miss Wightman + myself) went for a nice walk back to the gardens, everything seems to be doing nicely. I have received a very nice parcel of seeds from one of the ladies at home for my vegetable garden, now I would like flower seeds. Almost everything grows here.
Aug 2/25.
Beautiful Sunday, writing letters before church which somehow upset my feelings. Church reminds me so much of home + Rockwood. In afternoon had very severe headache as a result of giving way to feelings. After tea we were asked by one of the mothers to call at her home, because it was her child’s birthday. The table looked very nice spread with the African food. It is their custom to break off pieces of the meal cake with the fingers and dip it into the meat + vegetable dish as a relish. Miss Campbell + I did this. There were forty children around the table. We had our Eng. meeting in the evening at Mrs. Hall’s home.
Aug 3/25.
Dr. Hall arrived last night. We were all very glad to see him. But we had only very short visit this morning because Miss Wightman, Mr. Lloyd (our minister) and I were going to a funeral. Yesterday we received a letter from one of the chiefs that his Mother had passed away. As this is a very important family and all the members except one son are Christians, the missionaries decided to go. It meant another bush car ride for me.
The trip took about three hours. Our boys were very happy all the way, they keep up a continual chatter. We walk up the hills, and they enjoy running when the road is level. It is wonderful how they avoid stones, roots etc., because the leader keeps giving signs to the boy behind. The chief is a very fine man indeed. He has a wonderful expression, full of patience and kindness. His father, the old chief Kajundu, was the one that Dr. Currie helped many years ago, and now there is a wonderful Christian village under this younger man. This chief who looks so big and fine was kept in prison not very long ago by the Portuguese officials. He has to work very hard, being responsible for collecting the taxes from his people. He took over to the Fort, the amount that he had been told to bring, but when he arrived he was told that it wasn’t enough, and was a prisoner for a number of days. But he continues to be a very strong believer in God. We saw no young men at all, they were all out working for the government. Only the children + old men remained. They had killed an ox to help feed the people that came to the funeral, and he gave us a nice piece of meat.
It was a Christian funeral very much like our own service at home. The other missionaries told me that it was very helpful to hear the prayers offered by the elders, giving thanks for the beautiful life that had been among them. Their thoughts are so fine.
Aug. 4, 1925.
Today went over hospital with Dr. Hall. Saw the springs which provide water. The buildings are very fine with good stone foundations. As yet they have only thatched roofs and tile are necessary, because already they are beginning to leak and there is a great danger of fire during the dry season. I find that there are also many things needed from the nursery point of view. But they will come eventually. I’m so anxious to finish or at least get enough of the Umbundu language so that I might start work amongst the girls and have a training school for the girls.
Aug. 6/25.
Henry’s birthday. I thought of him this morning and I’m going to post your letter but it may not leave here until the end of the month. Much love, many spanks and kisses. I know he is too big now for those last two. Won’t I see a change when I see him again. But it is what we want a development of something that is worth while. It is the future that we must look into and plan for.
I’ll be with Mary again next week, so on the twenty-seventh we’ll be together. Please give much love to Mary and Will for me, this is the end of their first year isn’t it? I’m glad that they have been so happy to-gether and that they found each other whose love means so much to each one.
The Portuguese say, “Love comes, from we know not where, and grows we know not how.:
I really must say bye bye now. Heaps and heaps of love for everyone. Your own affectionate daughter and sister, Sib, Bib, Kamba used to call me Silas. Kamba asked to be remembered to you all in his last letter. He feels as if he knows you all quite well. He is looking forward to the time when he comes to Angola, and so are we. I expect he’ll bring his wife with him, although he had no definite plans when he went to Eng. Please don’t think that he has forgotten Kathleen. He cherishes her very dearly, speaks about her just as much as when she was alive. Christine his new friend, loved Kathleen very much herself and can understand Kamba’s lasting affection for Kathleen and she encourages him to remember Kathleen who meant so much to everybody that she came in contact with. Your own lovingly,
Bib
Chissamba, Bihé,
Via Lobito, Angola, W. Africa.
My dearest “Home-folks”:-
In the short time that I have been here I have seen many things. I shall try to make a short summary each night of the day’s happenings so that you may have some idea of what my days are like.
We always have Bible reading and we take turns in leading in prayer each morning before breakfast at our house. Immediately after breakfast each one goes off to her own work. So far mine has not been anything very regular. I often help Miss Wightman perhaps for half an hour in the house if she has something extra to do, because she has not been very well.
July 22, 1925.
This morning I went to hospital very early, helped Paulu with dressing of wounds of the man in auto accident. They are looking some better. In afternoon saw three couples married. They especially the girls march into the church very slowly and with their heads down. But they all had new cloths prettily draped and bouquets of flowers. The girls are still shy. Both now after the service, both man + wife come out of the same door. That has only been for the last two years. I was reminded so much of Min's wedding.
And my Umbundu lesson with Barnaba. He is a very fine young man. Head school-teacher and organist in the church. If you can remember the different names, you will know who I’m talking about at times. He is married and has very nice home.
July 23
Last night I was disturbed, because of jiggers in my toes. This morning “Calongisa” removed them very deftly for me. I was thankful. This morning I visited kindergarten + lower grades. Found many children with “Itch” and unclean heads. Trying to clean up heads, and we have built enclosure outside where we build a fire and scrub the children with these sores and then apply the ointment. One morning we bathed 29. I have a helper who will carry on the work. Her name is Fani.
We have supper at five o’clock. This evening there was a lovely moon. We walked backed a pretty lane and saw the fields where the girls work, also some of the village cottages, built of thatched straw. We also crossed a very pretty stream. When we started out we watched a beautiful sun-set and the boys were very happy on the school campus, playing foot-ball. One boy was kicked badly and came to me for “Iodine” and bandage. Oh, how many dressings of all kinds are needed here. Absorbent cotton, and all sorts of bandages and gauze. After our walk, Uitolia and Maria came in and Miss Campbell and I taught them to play “Dominos”.
July 24/25.
I visited hospital this morning at 9 A.M. after writing some letters and studying. After doing the patient’s dressing he said, “Tua pandula” (thankyou) and I responded “Oco.” He liked that, and smiled so kindly. I enjoyed the smile. I can only catch a very few words as yet and I know a few short sentences. I have a lesson in Umbundu every afternoon with Barnaba. Mr. Lloyd, the minister at Chissamba came in for tea. This evening one the elders from an out-station came in to greet me. He had such a kind expression, and I do enjoy their laugh and smiles. From seven to eight, I played the victrola, and our sitting room was full with some boys sitting out on the verandah. We cannot provide chairs for all, we have many small stools and some sit on the floor in front of the fire. They love to hear the hymns although they do not understand the Eng. words. They know the tunes.
July 25/25.
I’ve had a wonderful day. My first visit to an out-station by bush-car. Oh how I enjoyed the country. “Dulu” was one of the carriers a boy from the boarding school. They keep up a continual chatter amongst themselves. Sometimes giving warnings about roots, stones or ditches in the path. I walked up all hills, as they ran along I sang. Miss Campbell and I could not talk as we travelled in true African style one behind the other. At last I sang “When the Roll is called up Yonder” and I heard the voice from behind joining the chorus. How I enjoyed that. Then we began to talk in Portuguese. It is nice to have some means of contact. The elder had a beautiful garden with pineapples, oranges, bananas, tangerines, strawberries, sugar-cane, tomatoes, peas, onions, wheat, cabbage etc., all in season.
When we arrived we were told that there was a new baby to be named. It arrived the same day that I did in Chissamba. So I named her Mariona after Marion McCullough. She asked me to think of her and hold a little baby in my arms for her. I wish she could have the pleasure of holding these little black ones herself, They are always afraid of us white folk. Unless they are very tiny or big enough to understand.
July 26/25.
This has been a beautiful Sunday. After the morning service instead of having S. School as is the custom there was an out-door meeting. A small fire was built and we all gathered around to see a man burn his fetishes. He has given up his belief in these many charms, which might be anything that a person can wear to drive away sickness or any misfortune or to bring good luck. It is still It is still quite hard for some of them to get away from these old beliefs, and you will notice quite a few sort of run away as these things are put on the fire. Then we all sang, “Oh Happy Day that fixed my Choice.”
I shall avoid describing my own feelings in this letter, but Sunday is always my hardest day, in one way, because there are so many things to remind me of Home, + Sunday at Rockwood.
July 27/25.
Saw some terrible conditions of itch this morning. The little ones cannot sit in school sometimes because this is so bad. If they could only realize that it is very necessary to keep absolutely clean. To-day some Mothers heard that we were bathing the children and applying ointment so they brought their little babies. The crying was something to be remembered, but you remember how I always did enjoy helping you on Saturday nights.
July 28/25.
Today we were all invited to a Kathrine Hall’s party it is the end of her first year. We had a very pleasant time. I was up at the hospital in the morning.
July 29/25.
Treating children in out-door dept. this is the third day. I spent considerable time afterwards with my two helpers talking Umbundu. Barnaba was teaching schoolchildren a new Portuguese song. Patriotic in preparation for the visit of the High Commissioner who comes in Aug.
July 31/25.
Miss Wightman has had bad cold but is some better today. We took some pictures of the children in the O.D. dept. Baptista (boy) helps bathe older boys. Fani and Umbundu feel a little hurt. They are afraid they will lose their positions. But after explanation is made things are better. To-day we visited the home of a family with a new born baby. The Mother was on a comfortable bed and happy. It is a beautiful moon-light evening and the girls come in to ask if they might play some games outside. I wish that you could have seen them dancing and singing. Their rhythm was perfect and all their movements so light and graceful. They had a leopard and lion game and as some of them growled, I could easily imagine the wild animals were approaching. These people are very good imitators and it is certainly very interesting to watch them.
Aug 1/25.
Saturday there is no school. In the morning everyone works hard about the place cleaning and in the afternoon all the girls and the boys in the boarding schools clean themselves and their clothes so that they will be ready for Sunday. I have a little girl about 14 years old to look after my room and help me with anything I may need help with so to-day she help me wash my hair and dry it. At supper time as I walked through the kitchen I found she had washed hers and one of the other girls had done it up very nicely for her. Their fashion is very neat and tidy and looks very pretty when nicely done. They make fine braids very close to the head. To-day received very loving letter from Mary, which made me quite homesick. I do miss her so much. This morning I made two lemon pies which turned out very good. This evening we three (Miss Campbell, Miss Wightman + myself) went for a nice walk back to the gardens, everything seems to be doing nicely. I have received a very nice parcel of seeds from one of the ladies at home for my vegetable garden, now I would like flower seeds. Almost everything grows here.
Aug 2/25.
Beautiful Sunday, writing letters before church which somehow upset my feelings. Church reminds me so much of home + Rockwood. In afternoon had very severe headache as a result of giving way to feelings. After tea we were asked by one of the mothers to call at her home, because it was her child’s birthday. The table looked very nice spread with the African food. It is their custom to break off pieces of the meal cake with the fingers and dip it into the meat + vegetable dish as a relish. Miss Campbell + I did this. There were forty children around the table. We had our Eng. meeting in the evening at Mrs. Hall’s home.
Aug 3/25.
Dr. Hall arrived last night. We were all very glad to see him. But we had only very short visit this morning because Miss Wightman, Mr. Lloyd (our minister) and I were going to a funeral. Yesterday we received a letter from one of the chiefs that his Mother had passed away. As this is a very important family and all the members except one son are Christians, the missionaries decided to go. It meant another bush car ride for me.
The trip took about three hours. Our boys were very happy all the way, they keep up a continual chatter. We walk up the hills, and they enjoy running when the road is level. It is wonderful how they avoid stones, roots etc., because the leader keeps giving signs to the boy behind. The chief is a very fine man indeed. He has a wonderful expression, full of patience and kindness. His father, the old chief Kajundu, was the one that Dr. Currie helped many years ago, and now there is a wonderful Christian village under this younger man. This chief who looks so big and fine was kept in prison not very long ago by the Portuguese officials. He has to work very hard, being responsible for collecting the taxes from his people. He took over to the Fort, the amount that he had been told to bring, but when he arrived he was told that it wasn’t enough, and was a prisoner for a number of days. But he continues to be a very strong believer in God. We saw no young men at all, they were all out working for the government. Only the children + old men remained. They had killed an ox to help feed the people that came to the funeral, and he gave us a nice piece of meat.
It was a Christian funeral very much like our own service at home. The other missionaries told me that it was very helpful to hear the prayers offered by the elders, giving thanks for the beautiful life that had been among them. Their thoughts are so fine.
Aug. 4, 1925.
Today went over hospital with Dr. Hall. Saw the springs which provide water. The buildings are very fine with good stone foundations. As yet they have only thatched roofs and tile are necessary, because already they are beginning to leak and there is a great danger of fire during the dry season. I find that there are also many things needed from the nursery point of view. But they will come eventually. I’m so anxious to finish or at least get enough of the Umbundu language so that I might start work amongst the girls and have a training school for the girls.
Aug. 6/25.
Henry’s birthday. I thought of him this morning and I’m going to post your letter but it may not leave here until the end of the month. Much love, many spanks and kisses. I know he is too big now for those last two. Won’t I see a change when I see him again. But it is what we want a development of something that is worth while. It is the future that we must look into and plan for.
I’ll be with Mary again next week, so on the twenty-seventh we’ll be together. Please give much love to Mary and Will for me, this is the end of their first year isn’t it? I’m glad that they have been so happy to-gether and that they found each other whose love means so much to each one.
The Portuguese say, “Love comes, from we know not where, and grows we know not how.:
I really must say bye bye now. Heaps and heaps of love for everyone. Your own affectionate daughter and sister, Sib, Bib, Kamba used to call me Silas. Kamba asked to be remembered to you all in his last letter. He feels as if he knows you all quite well. He is looking forward to the time when he comes to Angola, and so are we. I expect he’ll bring his wife with him, although he had no definite plans when he went to Eng. Please don’t think that he has forgotten Kathleen. He cherishes her very dearly, speaks about her just as much as when she was alive. Christine his new friend, loved Kathleen very much herself and can understand Kamba’s lasting affection for Kathleen and she encourages him to remember Kathleen who meant so much to everybody that she came in contact with. Your own lovingly,
Bib
1925-07-22: tour stops---images---audio---transcript---~NOTES~---links---site navigation
1.
I often help Miss Wightman perhaps for half an hour in the house if she has something extra to do, because she has not been very well.
I haven't seen much about Miss Wightman, so she's not currently in the Non-family page for Mission folks on this website, but the name is familiar, so she may end up there.
2.
I was reminded so much of Min's wedding.
It seems to me that AG, Sibyl's daughter, had an Aunt Min. I'm not sure. Maybe I'll remember to ask.
3.
After our walk, Uitolia and Maria came in and Miss Campbell and I taught them to play “Dominos”.
Miss Campbell is another name that sounds familiar, but that is all.
3.
Mr. Lloyd, the minister at Chissamba came in for tea.
Listed in the Non-family page for mission folks.
4.
My first visit to an out-station by bush-car.
I couldn't find anything for bush car, but remembered that in another letter Sibyl's friend Christine Simango talked of traveling via hammock, so I googled "hammock carrier African", and Google AI told me:
"Hammock carriers" in an African context refers to the forced labor of African people who transported European colonial officials in woven hammocks or chairs (often called "hammock boys") across the continent during the 19th and early 20th centuries. This method was used to assert dominance and superiority over local populations.
Since Christine, who was African, used a hammock carrier, I don't think it was used solely to assert dominance, but I daresay that when somebody wants to assert dominance, he or she will use whatever means are available.
5.
At last I sang “When the Roll is called up Yonder” and I heard the voice from behind joining the chorus.
This reminded me of a Broadway song that I hadn't thought of in years, The Big Movie Show in the Sky. Of course I found it on YouTube. The chorus is:
Bye and bye, bye and bye,
Can you look yourself in the eye,
When you come on the screen up yonder
At the big movie show in the sky?
It's still a good song. I wondered if the writer had the Roll call song in his mind when he wrote it, so I found Johnny Cash singing When the Roll is Called Up Yonder, and heard very little resemblance.
6.
So I named her Mariona after Marion McCullough.
Another "I know I've come across it somewhere" name.
7.
To-day some Mothers heard that we were bathing the children and applying ointment so they brought their little babies. The crying was something to be remembered, but you remember how I always did enjoy helping you on Saturday nights.
So the Hoskings did Saturday night baths.
8.
Dr. Hall arrived last night. We were all very glad to see him.
Listed in the Non-family page for mission folks.
9.
I’ll be with Mary again next week, so on the twenty-seventh we’ll be together. Please give much love to Mary and Will for me, this is the end of their first year isn’t it?
The first Mary must be Mary Hurlbut, who was a missionary teacher in Dondi, and who is in the Non-family page for mission folks. Mary and Will must be Sibyl's brother and sister-in-law.
10.
Kamba used to call me Silas. Kamba asked to be remembered to you all in his last letter. He feels as if he knows you all quite well. He is looking forward to the time when he comes to Angola, and so are we. I expect he’ll bring his wife with him, although he had no definite plans when he went to Eng. Please don’t think that he has forgotten Kathleen. He cherishes her very dearly, speaks about her just as much as when she was alive. Christine his new friend, loved Kathleen very much herself and can understand Kamba’s lasting affection for Kathleen and she encourages him to remember Kathleen who meant so much to everybody that she came in contact with.
Kamba, Kathleen, and Christine Simango are in the Non-family page for the Simangos. Kathleen was Kamba's first wife, and had died of appendicitis in the summer of 1924. Christine was his second wife. According to Wikipedia, Kamba and Christine were married in September 1925. I guess that when Sibyl said Kamba would bring his wife with him, she knew that they would be married by then, and that's why she later calls Christine his new friend - because they weren't married yet.
I often help Miss Wightman perhaps for half an hour in the house if she has something extra to do, because she has not been very well.
I haven't seen much about Miss Wightman, so she's not currently in the Non-family page for Mission folks on this website, but the name is familiar, so she may end up there.
2.
I was reminded so much of Min's wedding.
It seems to me that AG, Sibyl's daughter, had an Aunt Min. I'm not sure. Maybe I'll remember to ask.
3.
After our walk, Uitolia and Maria came in and Miss Campbell and I taught them to play “Dominos”.
Miss Campbell is another name that sounds familiar, but that is all.
3.
Mr. Lloyd, the minister at Chissamba came in for tea.
Listed in the Non-family page for mission folks.
4.
My first visit to an out-station by bush-car.
I couldn't find anything for bush car, but remembered that in another letter Sibyl's friend Christine Simango talked of traveling via hammock, so I googled "hammock carrier African", and Google AI told me:
"Hammock carriers" in an African context refers to the forced labor of African people who transported European colonial officials in woven hammocks or chairs (often called "hammock boys") across the continent during the 19th and early 20th centuries. This method was used to assert dominance and superiority over local populations.
Since Christine, who was African, used a hammock carrier, I don't think it was used solely to assert dominance, but I daresay that when somebody wants to assert dominance, he or she will use whatever means are available.
5.
At last I sang “When the Roll is called up Yonder” and I heard the voice from behind joining the chorus.
This reminded me of a Broadway song that I hadn't thought of in years, The Big Movie Show in the Sky. Of course I found it on YouTube. The chorus is:
Bye and bye, bye and bye,
Can you look yourself in the eye,
When you come on the screen up yonder
At the big movie show in the sky?
It's still a good song. I wondered if the writer had the Roll call song in his mind when he wrote it, so I found Johnny Cash singing When the Roll is Called Up Yonder, and heard very little resemblance.
6.
So I named her Mariona after Marion McCullough.
Another "I know I've come across it somewhere" name.
7.
To-day some Mothers heard that we were bathing the children and applying ointment so they brought their little babies. The crying was something to be remembered, but you remember how I always did enjoy helping you on Saturday nights.
So the Hoskings did Saturday night baths.
8.
Dr. Hall arrived last night. We were all very glad to see him.
Listed in the Non-family page for mission folks.
9.
I’ll be with Mary again next week, so on the twenty-seventh we’ll be together. Please give much love to Mary and Will for me, this is the end of their first year isn’t it?
The first Mary must be Mary Hurlbut, who was a missionary teacher in Dondi, and who is in the Non-family page for mission folks. Mary and Will must be Sibyl's brother and sister-in-law.
10.
Kamba used to call me Silas. Kamba asked to be remembered to you all in his last letter. He feels as if he knows you all quite well. He is looking forward to the time when he comes to Angola, and so are we. I expect he’ll bring his wife with him, although he had no definite plans when he went to Eng. Please don’t think that he has forgotten Kathleen. He cherishes her very dearly, speaks about her just as much as when she was alive. Christine his new friend, loved Kathleen very much herself and can understand Kamba’s lasting affection for Kathleen and she encourages him to remember Kathleen who meant so much to everybody that she came in contact with.
Kamba, Kathleen, and Christine Simango are in the Non-family page for the Simangos. Kathleen was Kamba's first wife, and had died of appendicitis in the summer of 1924. Christine was his second wife. According to Wikipedia, Kamba and Christine were married in September 1925. I guess that when Sibyl said Kamba would bring his wife with him, she knew that they would be married by then, and that's why she later calls Christine his new friend - because they weren't married yet.
1925-07-22: tour stops---images---audio---transcript---notes---~LINKS~---site navigation
DOCUMENT LISTS FOR PEOPLE:
- SIBYL: DOCUMENTS ----- Outgoing
- NON-FAMILY: MISSION FOLKS ----- Mary Hurlbut, Mr. Lloyd, Dr. Hall
- NON-FAMILY: THE SIMANGOS ----- Kamba, Kathleen, and Christine
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