1882.] IBN BATUTA IN THE MALDIVES AND CEYLOF. 13> 



leaving, and her new masters become her creditors.* The principal 

 occupation of these hired women is to rope the hanbar {vide supra.) 



It is easy to get married in these islands, owing to the 

 smallness of the dowry, as well as by reason of the agreeable 

 society of the women. Most of the men say nothing about a 

 nuptial gift, contenting themselves with declaring their pro- 

 fession of the Musalman faith, and a nuptial gift in conformity 

 to the law is given. When ships arrive, those on board take 

 wives, and repudiate them on their departure : it is a kind of 

 temporary marriage. The Maldive women never leave their 

 country. I have never seen in the world women whose society 

 is more agreeable. Among the islanders, the wife entrusts to no- 

 one the care of her husband's service : she it is who brings him 

 his food, takes away when he has eaten, washes his hands, pre- 

 sents the water for his ablutions, and covers his feet when he 

 wills to go asleep* It is one of their customs that the wife never 

 eats with her husband, and that he does not know what his wife 

 eats. I married in that country many wives : some ate with me 

 at my request : others did not, and I could not succeed in seeing 

 them take their food, and no ruse to get a sight was of any avail. 



The story of the motive for the conversion of the 

 Inhabitants of these Islands to IslAm : Descrip- 

 tion of the Evil Spirits who wrought harm 



to them every month. 

 Trustworthy men among the inhabitants, such as the 



* Regarding these servants (M.femuseri), who are still employed, Mr. Gray 

 (J. R. A. S., Vol X., N.S., p. 204) has the following note: — " Pemoussere [Pyrard, 

 p. 225] ' bondsmen on loan,' debtors who have to serve their creditor till they 

 pay. They are generally well treated and fed ; if not they are entitled to their 

 freedom. i Many a poor man voluntarily enters the service of some great lord 

 as a pemoussere to gain his protection and favour.' Christopher says that the 

 men of Male having to pay no taxes are very lazy and ' become dependents of 

 any of the chiefs, most of whom retain as many followers as they may be able 

 to support, a large retinue being a sign of rank and power.' Compare with this 

 custom the growth of the feudal system in the West."— B. 



