NORTH QUEENSLAND ETHNOGRAPHY — ROTH. O 



8. At Cape Bedford a system of betrothal exists, though it 

 does not appear to be carried out very strictly. It is more usual 

 for the man to ask the parents' consent when the girl is of 

 marriageable age. The parents "do not give her to him willingly 

 or with kindly feelings. Both mother and father strike the 

 young man's head first ; when he is covered with blood they give 

 her to him. Once given to him, the wife builds the hut and 

 lights the fire But the girl does not readily go to meet her 

 husband ; her mother and father have to send her before she will 

 go ; then she meets him. Furthermore, during the daj T -time, she 

 will not sit alongside him in the shade. She is always with her 

 mother. So much for the bride." 5 She must, however, pass one 

 whole night with him before the marriage ceremony, such as it 

 is, can be publicly recognised. This -triking of the young man's 

 head, the symbolism of which I have been informed represents 

 the idea of the bridegroom having to fight the parents for her, is 

 paralleled in the neighbourhood of Cape Grafton (see Sect. 11), 

 where the future husband has to clash swords, etc., as in mimic 

 warfare with certain of the girl's relatives before the marriage 

 can be consummated. 



9. At Boggy Creek, Upper Normanby River, there is a similar 

 practice of asking the parent's consent, the fire being kindled 

 and the hut built near the single men's quarters by the bride's 

 mother, who carries the young man's belongings, spears, etc., to 

 the new home; her father then comes and fetches the bridegroom. 

 Or again, the wife may be given to her future husband by the 

 wrist, the woman herself, in this case, kindling the fire. Of 

 course in these cases where the parents' wishes have to be con- 

 sulted, there is always a solatium in the way of presents. 



10. On the Bloomfield River children are betrothed at birth. 

 If already married, the husband will take charge of his betrothed 

 wife when about four or five years old ; this is especially the case 

 if he moves about a ^reat deal or lives some distance away from 

 her tribe. If not already married, he has to wait until such 

 time as she reaches puberty, though if close upon that age and 

 he is about to leave for some other district, he will take her by 

 the wrist in the presence of all the other natives — the ceremonial 

 sign of marriage — tell her she is his, and warn her parents to 

 look after her well and to report to him at once should anyone 

 attempt to interfere with her. If ultimately the girl is too shy 

 to go to her future husband's hut, her brother or father will 

 accompany her ; if still recalcitrant, her husband will seize her 



5 Roth— Bull. 2— Sect. 31l>. 



