The Mother of the Peoples





Have you got a ten pound note? I’m sure you already know the most generous Scottish woman. Mary Slessor was born in Aberdeen and she spent most of her days living alongside children and women in Calabar (Nigeria). David Livingstone could share her strong religious feelings, so she became a missionary in Africa.

Mary Slessor devoted her life to help people who suffered calamities (health, superiority of men above women, hard rules which punished some women and children with death…) Mary was able to help Calabar tribes because instead of behaving as an English Presbiteran woman, she improved tribeswomen lives establishing hospitals for the ill and the injured.

Mary moved to other places in Calabar, such as Duke  Town, Creek Town, Okoyong or Akpap There were hard conditions and different religions and cultures. Nevertheless, Mary Slessor learnt native languages so she could move everywhere with common clothes and barefoot instead of Victorian uncomfortable wardrobe.

‘The Mother of All the Peoples’ finished her life in Akpap having started the First World War. Everybody loves the courage of Mary Slessor, the pacifist who resigned everything to share Okoyong enchanted forests.

Mariña.