392 
ANTHROPOLOGICAL NOTES, 
and place the woman therein to wait the arrival of her affianced 
man. 
A girl was frequently betrothed to someone by the parents at 
her birth, and was handed over to her affianced man when she 
arrived at puberty. 
Polygamy was customary and was not restricted ; the more 
wives a man had, the richer he was considered.* As a rule the 
women were a free gift, but at times a remuneration had to be 
offered in the shape of weapons or other useful utensils. The man 
who had a number of sisters whom he might promise, or over 
whom he possessed some influence through his parents, stood the 
best chance of having many wives. 
It was not considered adultery for a brother to have sexual 
intercourse with the wife of a brother, and it would frequently 
occur that one brother would lend a wife to another who had 
none of his own. During the absence from the district (when, for 
instance, on a visit to a friendly tribe) the wife or wives were left 
in charge of a brother who assumed the part of husband for the 
time being. If the absentee had no brother, this duty would fall 
upon the nearest relative. The husbands of two sisters were 
considered to be brothers. 
Marriage between blood relations was strictly forbidden. They 
firmly believed that if closely related people had carnal connection, 
both offenders would be bitten by " jidjigongs " (snakes); this was 
a constant dread to them, as it might not take place till after 
many years. 
The same punishment was also supposed to follow looking at or 
speaking to mothers-in-law, which was forbidden before as well as 
after marriage. 
Young people were strictly forbidden to indulge in carnal 
intercourse. If detected at such an offence, they would receive a 
severe beating from the other members of the tribe. In case a 
* My informant (Mr. Barry) told me that he had known some men to 
have as many as five wives. 
