RISE OF FATHERRIGHT 77 



ible through women only. But from various causes the 

 once populous pueblo of Sia has lost the greater part 

 of its inhabitants, whole clans have become extinct, 

 and the tribe is in imminent danger of dying out. In 

 these circumstances the rule of exogamy has ceased 

 to be strictly enforced. It is suggested indeed that the 

 desire for increase of numbers has caused a general 

 dissolution of manners. This is a question which does 

 not concern us in this place. The Sia are at least 

 nominally monogamous. When a young man desires 

 to marry a girl he speaks first to her parents. If they 

 are willing he addresses himself to her. The day of 

 marriage having arrived he goes alone to her home 

 carrying his gifts for her wrapped up in a blanket, 

 his father and mother having preceded him thither. 

 When the young couple are seated together the 

 parents address them in turn enjoining unity and 

 forbearance. This constitutes the ceremony. A feast 

 is then given to the friends. Tribal custom requires 

 the bridegroom to reside with his wife's family, the 

 couple sleeping in the general living room with the 

 remainder of the family. 1 



The Eskimo of Cumberland Sound and Davis 

 Strait are generally betrothed when very young ; 

 but in any case when the time for marriage comes 

 the bride must be bought from her parents by some 

 present. The bridegroom goes to reside with his 

 wife's parents and must help to maintain them. If 

 belonging to a strange tribe he must join that of his 

 wife. Not until after both his parents-in-law are dead 

 is he entirely master of his own actions. The consent 



1 Rep. Bur. Ethn. xi. 19. There are some cases it would seem 

 in which the husband has after a time provided a separate house. 



