Gabb.] '^'^^ [Aug- 20, 



knife, often the only article worn by the boy ; the long hunting and fish- 

 ing bow is foreshadowed by one a yard long, perhaps made of a simple 

 piece of wild cane ; the blow gun, a tube longer than the person, is in 

 constant use ; and I have seen some few actual toys such as a top made 

 of a large round seed with a stick through it ; and a rattle diifering only 

 in the degree of care in the making, from those used by the priests in 

 their iccantations. 



The arrival of puberty is the signal for marriage, at least on the part 

 of the girls. The courtships, if such they can be called, are carried on 

 principally at the chicha drinkings, and I am assured that very few young 

 women retain their virginity until marriage. A plurality of wives is 

 allowed at the option of the husband. Many have two, and some three 

 women. When a young man wishes to marry, having arranged with the 

 girl, he applies to the father. The consent is practically a foregone con- 

 clusion ; but the details of the bargain must be arranged. In most cases, 

 the groom goes to live at the house of his father-in-law, becomes, at least 

 for a time, a member of the family, and contributes with his labor to the 

 common support. Girls are thus available property to their families. 

 But in case the man already has a wife ; is in short, settled in life, and 

 has his own home, he may not want to change his residence. He then 

 compounds with the family ; giving a cow, a couple of pigs, or other 

 equivalent for the woman, in place of his services. No form of cere- 

 mony is required, and the marriage lasts as long as it suits the conve- 

 nience of the parties. In case of infidelity on the part of the woman, or 

 undue cruelty on the man's part, they may separate. Sometimes, if the 

 woman is unfaithful, the man whips her severely, and perhaps returns 

 her to her family, or she, in a fit of resentment, leaves him. This may 

 be for a year or so, or may be final ; but du.ring such separation either 

 party is at liberty to make new connections, thereby remaining perma- 

 nently apart. 



Probably there is no better place to mention kissing than in connection 

 with courtships and marriages. This agreeable custom seems to be 

 entirely unknown. I have never seen one person among them kiss an- 

 other, not even a mother her child. 



There are certain limits within vphich parties may not marry. The 

 tribes are divided into families, or something analogous to clans. Two 

 persons of the same clan cannot marry. This is now a source of difficulty 

 among the Tiribis. The tribe is so reduced that a number of marriage- 

 able persons of both sexes are unable to find eligible mates. I could not 

 ascertain exactly how the question is settled as to which clan a person 

 belongs, whether he inherits from father or mother, but so far as I could 

 gather, I think from the father. Cousins, even to a remote degree, are 

 called brother and sister, and are most strictly prohibited from intermar- 

 riage. The law, or custom, is not an introduced one, but one handed 

 down from remote times. The penalty for its violation was originally 

 very severe ; nothing less than the burial alive of both parties. This 



