GIKUKI

[s. 283] : Africa, situated A cluster of coral islands GILBERT ISLANDS: in Mic rones i a, lying on both sides of the equator. Population estimated at 32,500. The climate is equable, and tho warm is not oppre ive. Before Tlie inhabitants resemble the Malays. the advent of mi ionaries they were fond of war and prone to suicide; kind to their children, hos generous, and more considerate of pitalsle, Gilbert LianKnase Oolaebat women than is usual among savages. They ate human flesh occasionally, but were not habitual cannibals. These islands are now under Britain, and mi ionary work at the beginning of the 20th century is under the Hawaiian Evangelical A ociation (in cooperation with the ABCFM), greatly aided by the new conditions which foreign control supplies. The training school for the Gilbert Islands is at Kusaie (Caroline Is.), where one of the mi ionaries Literary work for the islands occupies resides. another mi ionary residing at Honolulu, H. I. A third mi ionary spends his time in touring from island to island in a ve el chartered far the One mi ionary and his wife (Haw a i purpose. On the lans) reside on the island of Maiana. islands of Marakei, Aranaka, Kuria, and Nonouti the additions to the Church (in 1901) numbered The southernmost islands of this group have been under care of the LMS and are virtually 80. Christian i zed. 284