28 PRIMITIVE PATERNITY 



islands of Ambon and Uliase there are two kinds of 

 betrothal, the secret and the open, preceded both 

 alike by intimate acquaintance and sexual intercourse. 

 Secret betrothal ends in elopement. Open betrothal 

 means a formal offer of marriage made on the bride- 

 groom's behalf by his relatives. On its acceptance he 

 establishes himself in his bride's dwelling, helping her 

 parents in their daily work and contributing to the 

 expenses of the household. He is not allowed to eat 

 with his wife or her parents, nor to speak to her in 

 their presence ; and if he leave the house temporarily 

 he must let them know whither he is going. But he 

 cohabits clandestinely with her. This position, which 

 is practically one of servitude, may last for years ; and 

 the children born while it lasts belong to the mother's 

 family. Sometimes, instead of going to reside in the 

 family, the bridegroom merely visits his bride once or 

 twice a week until the time for the formal ceremony, 

 which is dependent on the payment of the bride-price, 

 is fixed. When payment is made a feast is held, the 

 bride is handed over to the bridegroom and conducted 

 to his dwelling. Elopement is said to have been the 

 primitive form of marriage in these islands ; but so far 

 as I am aware the assertion does not rest on any 

 substantial evidence. It is accomplished by the help 

 of the bridegroom's relatives. The bride's parents are 

 then appeased by payment, and the bride enters her 

 husband's dwelling and family. 1 Here it is clear that 

 the payment of the bride-price effects the transfer of 

 the wife and her children at least her future children 

 from her family to her husband's. On the island of 

 Makisar marriage may take place by elopement and 



1 Riedel, 67. 



