98 CUSTOMS OF THE FEEJEE GROUP. 



to some neighbouring chief, whom they engage to intercede and bring 

 about a reconciliation. 



Wives are faithful to their husbands, rather from fear than from 

 affection. If detected in infidelity, the woman is not unfrequently 

 knocked on the head, or made a slave for life. The man may also be 

 treated in the same manner ; but this punishment may also consist in 

 what is called suabi. This is a forfeiture of his lands, which is sig- 

 nified by sticking reeds into the ground. These are bound together 

 by knots, so as to form tripods. If the offender wishes to regain his 

 lands, he must purchase the good-will of the offended party by 

 presents. In some cases, the friends of the injured party seize the 

 wife of the offender, and give her to the aggrieved husband. There 

 are also other modes in which a husband revenges himself for the 

 infidelity of his wife, which do not admit of description. 



We have seen that the extent to which polygamy is carried is 

 limited only by the will of the man and his means of maintaining his 

 wives. The latter are almost completely slaves, and usually, by the 

 strict discipline of the husband, live peaceably together. The house- 

 hold is under the charge of the principal wife, and the others are 

 required to yield to her control. If they misbehave, they are tied up, 

 put in irons, or flogged. 



The birth of the first child is celebrated by a feast on the natal day; 

 another feast takes place four days afterwards, and another in ten days, 

 when suitable presents are made to the young couple. 



Parturition is not usually severe, and some women have been 

 known to go to work within an hour after delivery. Others, however, 

 remain under the nurse's care for months. It is the prevailing opinion 

 that hard work makes the delivery more easy. After childbirth the 

 women usually remain quiet, and live upon a diet composed of young 

 taro-tops, for from four to eight days, after which they bathe con- 

 stantly. 



Midwifery is a distinct profession, exercised by women in all 

 the towns, and they are said to be very skilful, performing ope- 

 rations which are among us considered as surgical. Abortion is 

 prevalent, and nearly half of those conceived are supposed to be de- 

 stroyed in this manner, usually by the command of the father, at 

 whose instance the wife takes herbs which are known to produce this 

 effect. If this do not succeed, the accoucheur is employed to strangle 

 the child, and bring it forth dead. 



A child is rubbed with turmeric as soon as it is born, which they 



