My informant a twenty-two year old native of Massachusetts revealed that when she and any relatives of her Italian family are gathered together before they eat, someone calls out “Mangia! Mangia!” “Mangare” is the Italian verb meaning “to eat” and “Mangia” means “he/she/you eat”.

The twenty-two year old female informant born in the Gabonese Republic, a state located on the west coast of Central Africa, revealed that in her hometown the value of a woman is generally based on education. For this reason only my informant’s parents agreed to send her to the states for school. When my informant returns home she will go for a high price. With older siblings my informant has witnessed the process of exchange many times and revealed a moderate dowry could go for $200,000. Education as in most places is associated with class and status. For woman not already born into an aristocratic family, education serves as an opportunity for not just value but to attract wealthier men.

In a traditional Gabonese wedding festival, it is custom for the bride and her family to wear matching attire made out of “raffia”. After vows are exchanged the bride changes her clothes to match the grooms.

This tradition reveals a lot about the society such as it being a patriarchal society. It is the bride who is transported from her natal family to the groom’s family. It also reveals the possibility that of a dowry exchange.

The twenty-two year old female informant born in the Gabonese Republic, a state located on the west coast of Central Africa, revealed that people are “not suppose to sing at night because a spirit will steal your voice.” My informant even as a child ignored this superstition and use to sing into early in the morning. I asked if her mother or family ever told her this she replied no. Not everyone believed this superstition.

The twenty-two year old female informant born in the Gabonese Republic, a state located on the west coast of Central Africa, revealed that where she is from it is not uncommon to find bowls of fruit, candy, other sweets and cups of water on the dining table. This is meant to appease genies. My informant claimed that not all locals do this. It is found mostly in the homes of people near bodies of water.

Genies are trickster characters that can turn against you. According to my informant the treats are meant to bring luck from the genies who inhabit water. Apparently the genies will wander away from their home and in order to stay in their graces, it is best to provide offerings. People are allowed to eat the offerings but must replace them with something that is equally pleasing.