Volume 1

Miscellaneous papers relating to Indo-China and the Indian Archipelago : second series / [published by Reinhold Rost].

  • Reinhold Rost
Date:
1887
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Miscellaneous papers relating to Indo-China and the Indian Archipelago : second series / [published by Reinhold Rost]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    her, talks to her as if nothing had happened, and then leaves her, telling her she is free to marry again. Polygamy is forbidden ; very few do not conform to this custom. We now proceed to say a word about the ceremonies used at births, marrages and deaths. A new-born babe is treated and cared for in the ordinary way; several days after birth its head is shaved ; it does not become the object of any superstition until it is old enough to distinguish its father from its mother; if it is ill it is rubbed with lime mixed with kuniet, a kind of turmeric. As to the mother, she keeps to herself the first few days after her confinement; when she is strong enough to take up her ordinary household duties again, she must first of all purify herself by bathing. After which she is allowed to appear again in public.1 The only event of consequence in a man’s life is his marriage, which can only be contracted after the fourth degree of relation- ship. On the wedding day, the guests invited to the feast collect at the place of assembly ; as soon as all are there and everything is ready, the young couple are led by one of the eldest of the tribe near a larger or smaller circle, according to the presumed strength of the affianced pair. The young girl runs off first, and the young man runs after her a few paces, if he succeeds in reach- ing her so as to get hold of her, she becomes his wife; if he fails, he loses her. Another time a larger course is given them : they chase each other into the forest. Tradition says, the course is neither very long nor very tiring for either of them, provided the young man is fortunate enough to please his bride.* During my travels across the peninsula I was by chance present at several Mantra marriages. I will therefore give an exact and faithful description of one. The bride, having been attired in her best clothes bv her companions, was led into the middle of a circle ; here she took a seat near her future husband, who, bowing, saluted each person in the assembly by putting his folded hands on those of the person thus honoured. Then, according to custom, the three chiefs delivered endless speeches on the marriage and the good match; they did not forget to mention that, in recompense for the submission which the wife had to show towards her husband, he must not omit giving her betel to chew and tobacco to smoke every day. The Juru- Jzrah (one of the three chiefs) who married them asked for the token of the union which was to be made between them. The young couple, not being able to satisfy this demand, addressed themselves to me, when, with a good grace, I gave them two handkerchiefs, which were accepted. A plate containing portions 1 [“Journal of the Indian Archipelago.” vol. i. pp. 270, 323*.] * This custom, reported by Captain Newbold, was told me by a French- man, who has lived a long time at Tringano. It is not known among the people with whom I have been connected.
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