MARRIAGE IN BURMA.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2543, 22 June 1895, Page 2 (Supplement)

MARRIAGE IN BURMA.

Mrs Ernest Hart, in a letter on “ Burmese AVomen," contributed to the Queenol April 18th, writes “ Marriage in Burma is an affair of the heart. More often than not a Burmese girl chooses her own husband, but she is frequently aided in the selection by the parents, or by a gobetween called an oung bwd. There are plenty of opportunities given for the meeting of the young people of both sexes at the Pagoda festivals, at the pwds or public plays, and at friends’ houses on the occasions of marriages and funerals : “Courting takes place in the evening, and a suitor tor a girl’s hand visits her at her father’s house, generally after nine o’clock. Ho docs not come alone, but with his friends and supporters. The girl receives her lover alone, or with a friend, and dressed in her best. The parents

retire to another room, but, though not ■w-preseat at the interview, a bamboo house does not admit of secrecy, and the mother probably sees and hears all that goes on. Presents are exchanged, but not kisses and caresses, as these would be thought highly improper. When the young people have made up their minds to inorry, the parents' consent is asked, and is almost invariably given, even though the intended husband may bo very young, and not yet in a position to support n wife. But the happy-go-lucky Barman has groat sympathy with love's young dream, and arrangements are made to take the young cotiple into the house of either the parents of the bride or bridegroom for the first few years, till the husband can afford to start a separate establishment." The marriage ceremony is not religious, tke celibate Buddhist monks taking no part in such mundane affairs ; but a great feast is given by the bride's parents, and the public pledging of troth to each other is virtually the marriage ceremony. It is said that these marriages of boy and girl in the heyday of life and love are generally happy. Warm family affection is one of the 1 national traits of character, aivttTtindness to one another a religion and a habit. Though polygamy is permitted, it is very rare, and is looked upon with disfavour. I Marriage, it is true, is lightly entered

upon, and divorce is easy, but the divorced person is not respected, and it speaks well for a light-hearted people that illegitimate children are extremely rare.