102 Field Museum oe Naturae History — Anth., Voe. XII. 



long and prosperous life together. Finally, she puts a dish of rice on 

 the mat and, after offering it to the spirits, places it between the boy 

 and the girl as they sit on the floor. The girl takes a handful of the 

 rice and feeds it to the boy who, in turn, feeds her, and the ceremony 

 is complete. The couple may then go to their new home, but for several 

 years the girl's family will exact a certain amount of service from the 

 groom. 



A slight variation of the usual order occurred recently at the mar- 

 riage of one of Datu Tongkaling's sons. At that time all the details 

 were arranged by the datu, who, accompanied by his son and a number 

 of relatives, went to the girl's house and proposed the union. After 

 the girl had brought wine, betel nut, and food, and had placed them 

 before the visitors, she was directed by her mother to make a carrying 

 bag for her lover. Had she objected to the union and refused to make 

 this gift, her decision would probably have been accepted as final and 

 all negotiations abandoned. However, it is not customary for the 

 young people to refuse to carry out the wishes of their elders. As the 

 girl offered no objections, the party fell to discussing the price the 

 groom should pay, and finally, after several hours of bargaining, decided 

 that he should furnish her father with one agong, 1 one horse, and a double 

 betel box." Five days later, when he paid this sum, he received a 

 return gift of one agong and ten skirts from the bride's mother. About 

 one-half the value of the groom's gift was distributed among the girl's 

 relatives, who were at the same time admonished that, in case a separa- 

 tion should occur, they would be expected to return an equal amount. 

 In the presence of about a hundred friends, the pair drank wine from 

 the same dish, then submitted to having a little hair cut from their 

 heads, and were pronounced man and wife. Before they retired for 

 the night the mabalian combed their hair, then, having directed the 

 groom to precede his bride to their sleeping place, she secured a child 

 and placed it on the mat between the pair. This, she explained, was 

 an old custom, and was done so that the girl might not be ashamed, 

 for she was not the first to sleep there. Having finished this duty, 

 she returned to the center of the room and placed a number of plates 

 and a knife on the tambara, where they were allowed to remain for four 

 days as offerings to the anito, Manama, Toghii and the tigyama. At 

 the end of that period the plates were attached to the outside walls of 

 the house, and the knife returned to its former owner. This completed 



1 Large copper gong. 



2 Much more is often given. One girl in Cibolan brought six horses, five agongs, 

 and several spears and knives. 



3 See p. 107. 



