Many tribes of negroes live in the Kongo Valley. They live in huts made of mats. The mats are made of strong grass. The grass is first twisted into cords. Then the cords are braided into mats.
The people also use mats for their beds; but they do not put the mats on the ground. They tie them to a frame raised a little above the ground.
[Illustration: Kongo Negroes at a Mission School.]
These negroes also make baskets, bowls, pots, and wooden spoons. The bowls and pots they make out of clay.
It is very warm all the year round in the Kongo Valley. So the people wear very little clothing. They rub their bodies with palm oil.
They have a funny way of wearing their hair. While they are young their hair is braided. Then it is twisted into all sorts of knots and shapes. They do not untwist it, but keep it so always. They think these queer knots and shapes are very pretty.
[Illustration: A Kongo Village.]
The women do all the hard work. They cook the food. They do the other housework. They plant the corn and beans.