481) proceedings of section f. 



Betrothal. 



1. Children are often betrothed by their parents, so that feasts 

 may be held aaid food exchanged. It does not follow that they will 

 necessarily many. 



2. A man proposes to a woman by first getting the woman's consent 

 to his sleeping with her in her usual sleeping place ; then repeating 

 his visits for several consecutive nights. The woman now speaks to 

 he]' mother, who tells her husband. If the man is accepted, the woman 

 informs him that her friends know, and that he may help them in 

 their gardens. 



The woman's brother will take the man to the future mother-in- 

 law's garden. The first day he works all day, and his relatives are 

 informed of the fact. Then commence betrothal ceremonies and the 

 Tabu, which apply also to the betrothal of children. 



Tahu I. — The betrothed pair must not eat in the presence of 

 their respective relatives-in-law. 



Tahu II. — The betrothed boy or man is expected to sleep with 

 his betrothed in her mother's house, but only as bi"otlier and sister. 

 Sljould the man go further than the compact allows, and the woman 

 become pregnant, her relatives will repi'oach him with having antici- 

 pated the proper course of betrothal, and angrily hand the woman 

 (iver to him without further ceremonies — an act which will be a con- 

 stant disgrace to the woman in the future. In quarrels with her sex 

 she will often be brought to tears by their reminding her of her 

 premature maxTiage. If the woman is of good rank the man has to 

 pay much native wealth to appease the anger of the woman's relatives. 

 F'loni the commencement of the betrothal, feasts are exchanged 

 between the relatives of each party. 



The man has to help the woman's relatives in gardening, house- 

 liuilding, &c., his family often joining with him. The woman helps 

 the man in his private garden, and after a time there is exchange of 

 lielp between the relatives of each party. 



The parents of the man or woman may call the betrothed parties 

 son-in-law or daughter-in-law, but the couple cannot call the parents 

 father or mother-in-law ; nor can the betrothed call each other spouse. 



If a man and w^oman wish to be betrothed and the woman's 

 relatives object the man withdraws generally. In some cases when 

 the man's relatives object and he persists, they tell him to marry by 

 himself, as they will not help him to give the food and presents 

 necessary to complete the betrothal. 



Proper betrothal ceremonies cannot be carried on without both 

 families are agreeable. 



Marriage. 



The completion of the betrothal ceremonies terminating in mar- 

 riage generally takes place at harvest time. 



1. The bridegroom's relatives take fish, puddings, firewood, cocoa- 

 nuts, and a stone axe to the woman's village. The bride's mother 

 accepts these presents. 



2. The bride's relatives go to the man's -v-illage and sweep it 

 throughout. They receive from the man's relatives special presents, 

 the mother getting the best native wealth. 



3. The bride's relatives take uncooked food to the bridegroom's- 

 village, and cook it there for his friends to partake of. 



