INTERNATIONAL

News from other countries; translations and selections from homofile magazines abroad.

THE MALE HOMOPHILE IN BLACK AFRICA

From: ARCADIE, Nov., 1954

By: Tery

(Transliteration): David

If one considers the Homosexual Problem internationally, it becomes apparent that its incidence in the territories and states of Africa is among the least known. Several reasons obtain for this-foremost, the vast barriers between colored and white elements which permit little information of a detailed nature from passing to us; the natural "prudery" of the African, who conjures all manner of reticences before a questioning which tends too much to probe; and lastly, the highly diverse bents and customs of the two races. From this state of affairs arises the awkwardness of any study of homosexuality in this area. And from this self-same dearth of material I shall construct my report, leaning heavily on personal observation. My notes are of a provisional p character only, and I hope it will be understood that they are susceptible to revision, modification, and even certain among them to invalidation in proportion to more recent and thorough findings.

First of all, it's necessary to set up a picture of the affective-level of the African in general, into the frame of which can be inserted the problem of the homophile. The question in point is very much at the heels of local cus-

one

tom. Now, in Africa, customs are profoundly different from those of Europe, at times diametrically opposite, particularly where sentiment and marriage are concerned. In deference to simplification, I shall cite only those practices which are common to the wide majority.

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The affective-level, or sentiment, the African is very near to non-existent. Save in that element which is somewhat more advanced, the African hews to an inflexible principle: the woman is to be, in the household, a purely utilitarian instrument; her attributes consist of serving her husband and bearing him offspring. On the other hand, as sexual relations are customarily forbidden so long as the wife carries a child on her back-and this is for two years-polygamy becomes a necessity, undertaken solely to permit the male to assuage his desires and to beget other offspring during his wife's "incapacitation."

So it follows that the African male enjoys an almost total independence in regard to women. One rarely encounters husband and wife together. The husband goes with his friends, and, their conversation lasting well into the night, no wife would allow herself to remark in the least at his return.

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