The pounding is performed by two or even three women at one mortar.

Each, before delivering a blow with her pestle, gives an upward jerk of the body, so as to put strength into the stroke, and they keep exact time, so that two pestles are never in the mortar at the same moment.

The measured thud, thud, thud, and the women standing at their vigorous work, are associations inseparable from a prosperous African village.

By the operation of pounding, with the aid of a little water, the hard outside scale or husk of the grain is removed, and the corn is made fit for the millstone.

The meal irritates the stomach unless cleared from the husk; without considerable energy in the operator, the husk sticks fast to the corn.