CUSTOMS OF THE FEEJEE GROUP. 97 



riage, rolls of tapa, whale's teeth, provisions, &c, are sometimes pre- 

 sented to the parents. The acceptance of these signifies that the suit 

 is favourably received ; their rejection is a refusal of the suit. 



If the proposals of the young man are received, he gives notice of it 

 to his own relations, who take presents to his betrothed. Her own 

 relations, by way of dowry, give her a stone-chopper (matawiwi) and 

 two tapa-sticks (eki), after -which the marriage may take place. 



Among the common people the marriage rites are less ceremonious 

 than those of the chiefs. The priest of the tribe comes to the house, 

 when he is presented with a whale's tooth and a bowl of ava, and 

 making a sevu-sevu (prayer), invokes happiness upon the union. The 

 bride's near relations then present her with a large petticoat (licolib), 

 and the more distant relatives make gifts of tapas, mats, and provisions. 



Every man may have as many wives as he can maintain, and the 

 chiefs have many betrothed to them at an early age, for the purpose 

 of extending their political connexions by bonds which, according to 

 their customs, cannot be overlooked. 



The daughters of chiefs are usually betrothed early in life. If the 

 bridegroom refuses to carry the contract into effect, it is considered 

 as a great insult, and he may lay his account to have a contest with 

 her relations and friends. If the betrothed husband die before the 

 girl grows up, his next brother succeeds to his rights in this respect. 

 Many of the marriages in high life are the result of mutual attach- 

 ment, and are preceded by a courtship, presents, &c. The parties 

 may be frequently seen, as among us, walking arm-in-arm after they 

 are engaged. Forced marriages sometimes occur, although they are 

 by no means frequent in this class; in such instances suicide is occa- 

 sionally the consequence. A case of this sort had occurred previous 

 to our arrival, when a daughter of the chief of Ovolau killed herself 

 by jumping off a precipice behind the town, because she had been 

 forced to marry a brother of Tanoa. The females of the lower 

 classes have no such delicate scruples. Among them, marriages are 

 mere matters of bargain, and wives are purchased and looked upon 

 as property in most parts of the group. The usual price is a whale's 

 tooth, or a musket; and this once paid, the husband has an entire 

 right to the person of the wife, whom he may even kill and eat if 

 he feel so disposed. Young women, until purchased, belong to the 

 chief of the village, who may dispose of them as he thinks best. 

 Elopements, however, sometimes take place, when a marriage is 

 opposed from difference of rank or other cause, when the parties flee 



vol. in. 25 



