1840.] The Hodesum (improperly called KolehanJ. 7B9 



to whom he communicates his wishes respecting her. They in- 

 stitute inquiries regarding the means, wealth, and respectability of 

 the family, and if accounts are good, they set off to the girl's parents' 

 house, taking a brass kutorah or a p'hool one a present, and tell the 

 parents the young man's wishes. On their way to the house they 

 note carefully all the signs that occur, as the flight of vultures, the 

 song of the " ooi oe" or Mindanao thrush, and the appearance of jackals, 

 taking care they should remain on the same hand they were met 

 with. Should the conference terminate favourably, the deputation is 

 feasted and kept one day at the house, and the signs they have 

 noticed on the road are recounted and carefully expounded by men 

 versed in augury. The next day the deputation returns again, 

 noting the signs on the road ; and in this manner they pass and 

 repass between the houses of the parties, bearing messages and settling 

 the marriage terms. These go-betweens are called " Dootams." People 

 also from the girl's side go to the bridegroom's, taking note in their 

 journeys likewise of the signs on the road. 



Should the omens be interpreted to be very bad, to portend death, 

 or disease, &c., they determine to break off the match for a time, and 

 appoint a meeting the next day, with " Eely" and fowls, to have a sacri- 

 fice on the road, half-way between the bride and bridegroom's houses. 

 The next day they accordingly, to the number of four or six on each 

 side, meet halfway, and go through the sacrifice to the " Singbonga," 

 after which they tear a saul leaf in two between them and declare the 

 marriage null and void. The whole ceremony is concluded by a prayer 

 to " Singbonga," begging that if the parties still wish to be united, he 

 will vouchsafe to give them better omens the next time they negociate. 



After some time the Dootams from the bridegroom go again to the 

 bride's house, this time there is no notice taken of tokens ; they give 

 notice that the bridegroom with his father and mother are coming on 

 a visit. A day or two afterwards, the young man with his parents set 

 off, and are received at the bride's house, when mutual inquiries as to 

 property, possessions, and the desire of the parties for wedlock, are again 

 set on foot. All being satisfactorily answered, the parents settle the 

 price to be paid by the bridegroom's father. This is generally twenty, 

 thirty, forty, or fifty head of cattle, according to the old gentle- 

 man's means ; sometimes, when the requisite number of cattle cannot 



