XII.] MARRIAGE CUSTOMS OF THE NUFOOREANS. 287 



She has to make his sago and cook his food, to draw the water, 

 make pottery and fibre baskets, and often to submit to ill-usage 

 and the position of a wife is hardly bettered by the fact of her 

 being under the authority of her husband's' mother and sisters. 

 Polygamy is common, but it is not usual for a man to have more 

 than three or four wives. Should a woman prove childless she is 

 sent away, and the husband marries again. Children are betrothed 

 when very young, and when the contract is closed the parents of 

 the future bridegroom pay those of the bride a part of the bargain 

 agreed upon, for, as in many savage tribes, w^oman has a certain 

 market-value. A very curious custom exists resembling one of the 

 forms of Hlonijya among the Zulus, whereby the bride and her 

 near relations must avoid the sight of the bridegroom and his 

 people until the marriage. The betrothal is not binding, and if 

 the man does not approve of his parents' choice he need not fulfil 

 the contract. At a wedding at which Mr. Van Hasselt was present 

 the bridegroom went to the bride's house, preceded by a crowd of 

 women, each of whom bore a small present in her hand. Arriving 

 at the room set apart for the ceremony, the young couple were 

 placed back to back, the bystanders meanwhile taking up their 

 position round them — the men on one side and the women on the 

 other. The ceremony is usually performed by the oldest relation, 

 and in this instance an old man undertook the office. Joining 

 their right hands he took a mouthful of water and spurted it over 

 them with the words, " May no enemy kill you, and no evil spirit 

 affect you with sickness." Sago was then brought in and given first 

 to the newly-married couple and then to the guests. 



Even after the ceremony various customs have to be strictly 

 observed. The bride and bridegroom must sit up all night. If 

 sleep threatens them they are immediately aroused, for the belief 

 of the people is that in remaining awake they will have a long and 

 happy life. This continues for four nights. By day they are 

 permitted to sleep, but the husband must return to his own house. 

 Not until the fifth day may they meet each other alone, but even 



