Misunderstood Customs - Day 15

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Mary Henrietta Kingsley was a scientific writer and explorer whose travels throughout West Africa and resulting work helped shape European perceptions of African cultures and British imperialism. A Victorian lady in the jungle

Mary was the daughter of a well-traveled doctor whose views on injustices faced by the Native Americans may have helped shape her later opinions on British cultural imperialism in West Africa. She had little formal schooling but had access to her father's large library and later trained as a nurse. Exploration and adventure had not been seen as fitting roles for English women, but Mary was determined to travel to Africa. When her parents passed away, she spent her inheritance on a solo trip. She traveled through western Africa dressed in traditional Victorian attire.

She wrote two books about her experiences: Travels in West Africa and West African Studies. Mary’s tales and opinions of life in Africa helped draw attention to the misunderstood customs of African people that and various reform associations were formed in her honor that helped facilitate governmental change.

Source: Wikipedia