252 
Marriageable Relatives, 
the father of the girl chosen and in a subdued tone of voice asks him for 
his daughter: a few, presents made beforehand constitute the prelimin- 
aries for the declaration: the consent of the father and daughter is a 
certainty, so long as the suitor is known as a courageous fighter and a 
good hunter and fisherman. It is only extremely rarely that a young 
man will betray Ms feelings for the girl of his choice before earning for 
himself a certain reputation in hunting and fishing or by way of some 
other physical superiority, for he would be scotted and ridiculed not only 
by the old women but also by the girls. Should he return from the chase 
richly rewarded, he strides into the village with proud step and flashing 
eyes: lie is well aware that all the girls are looking at him and trying to 
outdo one another in their praises of his prowess. Even the women who 
may still he in theii* houses are called out to admire the keen huntsman 
with his quarry. But when his luck is out he sneaks into his quarters 
like a thief at nightfall to avoid the scoffing and sneering whispers. Often 
enough we or the officers made s]K)rt and told the l)eanties of Pirara that 
we should like to have them for wives : the answer to our proposition was 
on every occasion, "Of what use are you to us? you who In four weeks 
have hardly lieen aide to shoot a deer or a duck, and have caught no fish. 
You Paranaghieris do nothing all day long but look at your drying 
papers." If the youth obtains consent he lietakes himself with all his 
property to the residence of his w^ould-be father-in-law to whom he 
devotes all his energies, and for whom he hunts, fishes and fells the trees 
for the provision field. He is only allowed to give to hisi own parents 
such time as may remain free.. Should the young man complain of the 
extra work, or not appear industrious enough, some such sarcastic expres- 
sion on the part of the girl's father as "Much obliged for your work. Let 
your reward be that I had pronil^rfl you my daughter, etc." indicates 
that the mutual engagement is broken. The husband is free to get rid of 
his wife even subsequently, indeed, even sell her, which only in rare 
cases draws any unpleasant consequences upon the outcast, because often 
already by evening she will have found another husband. If the couple 
possess any children a separation of this nature is extremely rare and 
can only be dependent on infidelity. 
579. The uncle on the father's side may not marry the niece because 
she is regarded as next of kindred to the brothers and sisters, for which" 
reason he is also called "Papa." On the other hand he is allowed to make 
ties with the daughter of Ms sister, the wife of his deceased brother and 
his stepmother when the father is dead. Among the few examples of 
polygamy that I encountered among the Macusis, I found a case where 
an Indian had three sisters for wife.* 
5S0. I have already several times mentioned the ceremonies that 
take place at death and burial, and would only add here that the widower 
must mourn his wife for from 9 to 11 months, i.e., until the cassava-field 
and roots planted at the time of death can be made use of at the accus- 
tomed paiwari feast that is always celebrated prior to the second mar- 
riasre. Tn spite of their naturally gentle and meek character, I was never- 
theless very deeply grieved at the neglect and loveless handling of their 
* On the upper Pomeroon, at Issororo I kuew of an Akawai living with three^sisters. (Ed. 
