THE SOCIAL SYSTEM 75 



claims to be able to speak to him — presumably the 

 language of the heart. The youth thus encouraged 

 may presume to remain beside his sweetheart till 

 early morning, or to return to her side when the 

 old people have retired. When the affair has 

 reached this stage, it becomes necessary to secure 

 the public recognition which constitutes the relation 

 a formal betrothal. The man charges some elderly 

 friend of either sex, in many cases his father or 

 mother, to inform the chief of his desire. The 

 latter expresses a surprise which is not always 

 genuine ; and, if the match is a suitable one, he 

 contents himself with giving a little friendly advice. 

 But if he is aware of any objections to the match 

 he will point them out, and though he will seldom 

 forbid it in direct terms, he will know how to cause 

 the marriage to be postponed. 



If the chief and parents favour the match, the 

 young man presents a brass gong or a valuable 

 bead to the girl's family as pledge of his sincerity. 

 This is returned to him if for any reason beyond 

 his control the match is broken off. The marriage 

 may take place with very little delay ; but during 

 the interval between betrothal and marriage the 

 omens are anxiously observed and consulted. All 

 accidents affecting any members of the village are 

 regarded as of evil omen, the more so the more 

 nearly the betrothed parties are concerned in them. 

 The cries of birds and deer are important ; those 

 heard about the house are likely to be bad omens, 

 and it is sought to compensate for these by sending 

 a man skilled in augury to seek good omens in the 

 jungle, such as the whistle of the Trogan and of 

 the spider-hunter, and the flight of the hawk from 

 right to left high up in the sky. If the omens are 

 persistently and predominantly bad, the marriage 

 is put off for a year, and after the next harvest 

 fresh omens are sought. The man is encouraged 



