90 



A SPORTING TRIP THROUGH ABYSSINIA 



together. This simple function, nevertheless, is con- 

 sidered binding for life, and what is more, it is the only 

 one that forms such a bond. At its conclusion, the 

 whole of the wedding-party usually adjourn to the house 

 of the bride's parents, where the rest of 

 the day is spent in banqueting, drinking 

 tej, singing and dancing, in all of which 

 diversions the priests take a prominent 

 part. European travellers agree in 



stating that religious marriages in 

 Abyssinia are extremely rare. Riippell 

 indeed goes so far as to assert that 

 marriage is a purely conventional 

 arrangement, which subsists just as long- 

 as both parties are satisfied with it, and 

 is dissolved by 

 mutual consent, 

 and without any 

 interference of the 

 authorities, as soon 

 as this is no longer 

 the case. The only 

 exception he allows 

 is in case of dis- 

 agreement with 

 regard to the parti- 

 tion of the common property ; but even here he does 

 not think that the decision of the judge appealed to 

 is always binding. This is, I think, going a little 

 beyond the facts ; and having made special inquiries 

 into this subject from men well acquainted with the 



Censer, Bell, and Sistrums. 



