Word: customs
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...followed, only a handful of white travelers followed them. In the early 16th Century one King of Benin ordered his whole nation converted to Christianity in exchange for a white wife, provided by Portuguese missionaries. The conversion was short-lived, though later generations of the Bini adopted wholeheartedly the custom of crucifying their human sacrifices. By 1896 Britain had already established control of the coast of Nigeria, was eager to trade with forbidden Benin in the interior. Acting Consul General Phillips, eager to hurry matters, sent a message to grinning black King Overami of Benin, asking permission to visit...
This cruel custom of regimental discipline did not hinder but rather helped the Turks to make the best and the most rugged soldiers of their uncivilized and primitive populace...
...immemorial custom each autumn when the U. S. Supreme Court assembles, for the Justices, as part of their first day's work to pay a formal call on the President. This year the Court convened on Oct. 7 but the call had to be postponed because Franklin Roosevelt, aboard the U. S. S. Houston, was then somewhere near the Cocos Islands. Month ago, when the President returned to the Capital, he was very busy and since the call had been postponed the Justices had no objection to letting it go to a time that suited the President...
Reporter Lanehart shyly kicked first, Reporter Davidson next. Mme Wettergren's husband, who had earnestly added his request to hers, explained that it was an old Swedish custom for a person to be kicked before beginning any new venture. In Sweden students are commonly kicked before they enter an examination room. Actors and singers are kicked before important first nights.* The kicks on the Gripsholm last week brought luck indeed to Mme Wettergren, boosted her straight into headlines. The Post ran her picture with a front-page story. Pictures were also in the American, the News, the Herald Tribune...
...Brides are not kicked. In Sweden the general custom prevails for the groom to carry his wife over the threshold...