HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
] 66 
they depend, in a measure, on the rank and wealth of the 
parties. Feasting generally accompanies every Malagasy 
marriage. When the preliminaries are determined, and the 
time fixed, viz., a good or lucky day, according to the 
sikidy, the relatives of the bride and bridegroom meet at 
the houses of the parents of the respective parties. All 
are attired in their best apparel, and decorated with their 
gayest ornaments. At the appointed hour, the relatives 
or friends of the bridegroom accompany him to the house 
of the bride. These pay or receive the dowry, which being 
settled, he is welcomed by the bride as her future husband; 
they eat together, are recognized by the senior members of 
the family as husband and wife; a benediction is pro¬ 
nounced upon them, and a prayer offered to God, that 
they may have a numerous offspring, abundance of cattle, 
many slaves, great wealth, and increase the honour, of 
their respective families. They then repair to the house 
of the parents or friends of the bridegroom, and again eat 
together, when similar benedictions are pronounced by the 
senior members of the family, or the head man of the village, 
who is usually invited to the ceremony. 
The nuptial bond is, in some instances, now regarded 
as complete ; general feasting ensues, after which the par¬ 
ties return to their respective homes, and the newly-mar¬ 
ried couple to the residence prepared for them. 
But if, as is generally the case, the houses in which the 
parties have met is below the hill on which their village 
is built, the bride is placed on a sort of chair under a 
canopy, and borne on men’s shoulders up the sides of the 
hill to the centre of the village. Occasionally the bride¬ 
groom is carried in the same manner. The relatives and 
friends of the parties follow in procession, clapping their 
hands, and singing, as the bearers ascend. On reaching 
