CH. XI CUSTOMS OF THE MINAHASSEBS 275 



in the dark over a plentiful supply of sirih leaf and betel- 

 nut, which it is the gentleman's duty to provide. If, when 

 awoke, the young lady arises and accepts the prepared 

 betel-nut, happy is the lover, for his suit is in a fair way to 

 prosper, but if, on the other hand, she rises and says, " Be 

 good enough to blow up the fire," or "to light the lamp," then 

 his hopes are at end, as that is the usual form of dismissal. 

 Of course, if this kind of nocturnal visit is frequently re- 

 peated, the parents do not fail to discover it, although it is 

 a point of honour among them to take no notice of their 

 visit, and if they approve of him matters take their course ; 

 but if not they use their influence with their daughter to 

 ensure the utterance of the fatal " Please blow up the 

 fire." ' 



When the courtship is satisfactorily concluded, and it 

 is decided that the girl shall be definitely asked in marriage, 

 then, with the parents' consent, a day is fixed upon which 

 they shall meet together to discuss the harta, or price that 

 is to be paid by the young man for his bride. 



As a preliminary to this, a present of nine betel-nuts, 

 nine sirih fruits, and some gold or silver ornaments has to 

 be sent to the girl. In the olden times of the head-hunters, 

 a fresh human head was an indispensable preliminary to 

 any marriage negotiations ; but this abominable practice 

 was effectually stamped out by the Dutch Government 

 many years ago. It is probable that this ghastly present 

 was intended not only as a proof of personal bravery on 

 the part of the young hero, but as a promise that in the 

 world of spirits the young bride would have at least one 

 slave to wait upon her (102). The harta was in former 

 times usually paid in land, houses, sagoweer trees, pigs, 

 cloths, &c. Nowadays it is often paid in money, one 

 thousand guilders (84L) being about the highest harta 

 known (22). 



T 2 



