WOMAN PROPOSES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 16 June 1928, Page 11

WOMAN PROPOSES

T EA'P Year always brings a revival of'the ages old question: “'Should a woman propose?” 'There are countries, however, where this question has been definitely settled, states the “'San Francisco 'Chronicle. ” Not only do the women propose during Leap Year, but every year, as the following examples show: — 'Subject to her parents’ consent the girl o'f the .Blaekfeet Indian's of North America proposes to the young brave of her choice toy carrying food to his lodge. If he accepts the service, the maiden continues it during a whole moon, when a feast is 'arranged and the nuptials celebrated. The maiden of Bonda Porjas, in Southern India, resorts to a severe test when selecting a husband. The chosen man has to accompany ‘her into the jungle, where. she applies fire to his bare back. If, the pain, draws a yell, from him, he is contemptuously rejected. She Takes him for husband only if 'he suffers in silence. Definitely pugnacious is. the courtship conducted by-the young woman of the Choroti and Ashluslav Red Indians of South America. ‘ 'She courts the selected youth at the dances. If a rival enters the field, she settles the

SOME STRANGE CUSTOMS

issue by fighting her with punchers made of 'bone or with tiapirski boxing gloves. In Borneo, among the Iviala'bit peoples, it is always the girl Who conducts the courtship. It is significant that I when a marriage is celebrated -between a Punan man and woman the husband leaves his own family and ..joins his bride’s people. , ’ ’* Not only does the Cham maid oh in some districts of Indo-China make the proposal, but with her also lies -the initiative for divorce. When the wife retains the home, the children, and one-third of the property! Even more favoured ‘is the girl of the “maternal kinship” tribes of Assam. .She proposes, and, if he accepts, flie marriage takes place and the husband -must then come and live with her people. And the Wife may divbrce her husband when she pleases. By so doing, indeed, she gains much, for she not only keeps the children and- (her own property, but all •(her diforced husband’s property as well. On the other hand, if a husband divorces bis wife he does not escape any easier, for 1 he must still surrender hii entire pro- ; perty and the children to her.