MARRIAGE 335 



this were done, my authorities were agreed that 

 justice would be met by the return to the jilted 

 one of the equivalent of his presents. 



More frequently, however, the choice is made 

 by a young man of eighteen or twenty, in which 

 case his wishes are made known through the in- 

 strumentality of a male relative or intimate friend 

 to the father of the damsel on whom he has cast 

 his eyes. If she be marriageable, the event may 

 take place at once, but if not, and the proposals 

 be accepted, the prospective bridegroom makes 

 certain agreed presents, and, in addition, performs 

 certain stipulated services for his future father-in- 

 law, such as assisting in the hoeing of the gardens 

 and the harvesting of the grain, until, on it being 

 delicately conveyed to him that the lady is at 

 length capable of discharging the duties of wife 

 and motherhood, the event takes place with some 

 such observances as the following. 



Whilst a bachelor the bridegroom resides at the 

 Gwero, or young men's house, in which the youths 

 of the village — sometimes of both sexes — reside ; 

 but as the time draws nigh for his marriage, he 

 proceeds to build a house of his own. This done, 

 and its inspection by the future bride and her 

 family having proved satisfactory, a day is set apart 

 for the nuptials. On its arrival, the bride is con- 

 ducted by two of the matrons of her own village 

 to that of her expectant groom, a friendly, festive 

 reception being provided for her on the outskirts 

 by the women of the village of which she is about 

 to become a member. The bride's family, who 

 have arrived before her, now advance towards her. 



