BRIDE PURCHASE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2057, 27 July 1893, Page 41

BRIDE PURCHASE.

Bride purchase is a custom which has been, at some time or other! practised almost all over the world ; and where we do not find it still in .all its ancient force we frequently find the relics of it. As, in the progress of civilisation, the bonds of the family are drawn tighter, the power of the father over his children increases, and that of the more distant kinsfolk decreases. The substantial price in such cages is paid to the parent, and the other kinsmen are recognised only by a smaller, frequently a nominal, present. Lastly, the gifts on both sides are transformed into a dowry for tbe bride, and into wedding presents intended for the behoof of the happy couple. In various nations the application of the mairiaga gifts is found in all stages of transition, from the rudest bargain and sale up to the settlements so dear to English lawyers, and the useless toys which the resources of the newest culture enable us to bestow upon our friends on these interesting occasions, to assist their early efforts in housekeeping. The examples following are drawn, of course, from conditions of barbarism where purchase prevails, or when survivals of its former practice have not yet been all swept away. Incidentally we shall find evidence, even outside the contribution on the one hand, and the payment on the other, of the wide extent of kindred whose assent is necessary in early stages of civilisation. Among the Osages a youth is not required to consult his parents in a love affair ; but the consent of his elder brother, if he Lave one, or his uncle, is the first condition of proceeding in it. Having obtained this preliminary approval, the resl of the family are informed of his intention. He then takes a number of horses and ties them in front of the maiden's wigwam. This is equivalent to a formal proposal; and the damsel's eldest brother or uncle is the first to be informed of it. If he approves the match he accepts the horses and distributes them among the members of the family. The Osages are still, or were when the account was written on which this statement was founded, in the state of society where the husband enters the wife's family and becomes its head. The Omahas, another North American tribe, have passed into the stage where the wife goes to reside with her husband and his family. A wooer is not obliged to give presents to others than the parents, but often does ; and after marriage there is a custom, now growing obsolete, for the husband's kindred to collect gifts, which are sent by the wife's hand to her kindred, who are thereupon entertained by her father at a feast, and the gifts distributed. A year or so later presents are sometimes made in return. > Among the Hidatsas a wooer has to show himself liberal in his presents among the bride's relations, though the gifts are generally returned in due course if he proves a kind husband. In order to win a Seminole maiden the suitor

has to prove to her uncles and aunts that he is a good hunter. This is done by supplying them with a quantity of bear's oil and venison. It is they and the lady's brothers who have the disposal— always, however, with her own consent— of her hand, and the father has no voice in the matter. Ampng the Peguenohes and Patagonians the bridegroom must satisfy the bride's kindred with his offerings— not always an easy task, especially where the number is considerable. - Turning to Africa, we find that the Kroomen of Liberia buy and sell their women ; and the price of a girl is distributed between the relations of her father and those of her mother. On the opposite side of the continent, where, with Mohammedanism, a somewhat higher degree of civilisation has been reached, the payment for a Somali maiden forms her marriage portion. It is arranged, we are told in vague language, by her relations — an expression including many besides the immediate parents. No doubt in more primitive times the persons who fixed the payment were the ones who received it. The customs of various Turanian peoples point similarly to the need of obtaining the consent of the general body of the bride's kinsmen. A bridegroom of the Paharias of Rajmab&tis required to present not only a turban and a rupee to his father-in-law, and 'a piece of cloth and a rupee to his mother-in-, law, but also to< several of the nearest relations. Striking are the ceremonies performed by two of the northern branches of this widespread race. After the purchase money has been agreed upon, but before it is paid, among the Kirghis the bridegroom is allowed to visit the bride. This is done by some tribes with great formality. The young man presents himself first to the oldest member of his bride's family, and asks permission to pitch his tent at the encampment. "This request beirjg granted he distributes presents among the members of the family, and begs them to use their efforts in persuading the bride to pay him a visit in his tent. As success always crowns their eforts, the bride makes her appearance in the tent, where the young couple are left alone. During this interview the marriage is consummated, though the union is not yet formally consecrated. They are now bound to each other, and neither can withdraw from the mutual obligation, they have contracted without being exposed to the vengeance of the injured party." Further presents are given to the relatives on the formal celebration of the marriage after the purchase money nas been paid. Among the tribes of Turkestan, after the payment of the purchase money to the father, each party is represented by two witnesses at the wedding ceremony, and a mollah is employed to legalise the contract. All goes on smoothly until "the bride's witnesses suddenly raise some objection, pretending that they are unwilling to deliver up the bride who is entrusted to their keeping, unless some suitable present is offered for renouncing, on their part, the great treasure placed in their custody." Nor can the marriage proceed until they are satisfied. The same part is played in Central Europe by the Wendish bridesmaids. The bride awaits her bridegroom sitting at a table by herself. When his procession arrives, his master of the ceremonies advances, to the table and begs her politely to follow him tothe wedding. The bridesmaids interfere, and refuse to give her up without being paid for it ; they must have the whole table full of gold I After an amount of haggling, which depends on the persuasive powers of the damsels and the wealth of the bridegroom, they are at length satisfied; and sometimes the business is not concluded until a considerable sum has been paid.— E. Sydney Habtland, in the Asiatic Quarterly.