Adults, whether of the same or the opposite sex, do not kiss one another publicly in traditional African society. A mother, however, may affectionately kiss her small child or baby. One must therefore indicate the social significance of this act in the original; e.g., “she bid them farewell by kissing them.” The reason for the daughters’ “weeping” is also not clear from the text. Loud public crying or wailing is normally done only at the time of a funeral.

Source: Wendland 1987, p. 169.