AMONG THE DUHOI 337 



departure, and although it does not disappear it is be- 

 lieved to have accomplished its mission. 



The Duhoi are polygamous, as are the Kahayans. 

 According to a rough estimate, one-third of the people 

 have one wife, one-third two, and one-third three. If 

 a girl declines the suitor on whose behalf the father acts, 

 she is not forced and the matter is closed. Should she 

 agree, then the price must first be determined, and is paid 

 in goods, gongs, cattle, domestic pigs, water-buffaloes, 

 etc. Really poor people are not found here, and the least 

 amount a man pays for his wife is two gongs, which axe 

 procured from the Malay trader. 



About sunset people gather for the marriage cere- 

 mony. The couple sit on one gong. A water-buffalo, 

 pig, or fowl having been sacrificed, the blian sings and 

 smears blood on navel, chest, and forehead of the pair. 

 On rising to go to their room the bridegroom beats seven 

 times upon the gong on which they were sitting, and be- 

 fore he enters the door he strikes the upper lintel three 

 times, shouting loudly with each blow. Food is brought 

 there, and while the door is left open the newly wedded 

 eat meat and a stew of nangka seasoned with red pepper 

 and salt, the guests eating at the same time. After the 

 meal the bridegroom gives everybody tuak, and people 

 go home the same evening unless they become drunk, 

 which often happens. The young married couple remain 

 one year with the bride's parents. 



