32 PRIMITIVE PATERNITY 



matter, at the same time standing on their guard 

 against assault. At last one of the assailants asks 

 whether the bride-price will be paid. On an affirmative 

 answer being returned both parties separate as friends 

 and in a high state of merriment over the scene 

 which has taken place. The youth remains in his 

 wife's house and being incorporated into her family 

 loses all rights in his parents' house. The first-born 

 child is yielded to the wife's parents, and in return the 

 bride-price is repaid. The other children belong to 

 their mother. 1 On the islands of Leti, Moaand Lakor 

 no bride-price is paid ; the husband lives in his wife's 

 house until he builds a separate dwelling ; and of the 

 children the boys follow their mother and are in- 

 corporated in her family, while the girls belong to their 

 father. 2 The population of the Seranglao and Gorong 

 Archipelago has accepted Islam. This has naturally 

 affected the marriage customs ; but an interesting relic 

 of the earlier conditions is found. As soon as the 

 marriage is agreed on and before the bride-price is paid 

 the bridegroom is entitled to resort by day to the 

 bride's father's dwelling and there to eat and drink, in 

 which case the bride must serve him. He is further 

 entitled to pass the nights there, sharing the bed with 

 his bride, in order, it is said, that they may learn to 

 know one another. In return he is bound to yield a 

 portion of his earnings to the bride, and to help her 

 parents. But apparently he is not supposed to con- 

 summate the marriage until payment of the bride-price. 

 This, however, is not always paid at once. Any 

 children born before payment is completed follow the 



1 Riedel, 464. 2 Id. 390, 392. 



