The bulk of the film which follows centers around the transfer of money and animals. The strength of the film lies in the raw conversation that occurs between the represetatives. At times the conversation seems to follow presribed forms and at times seems to be a free arena for participants to exress humor and to manipulate one another. Politics, ritual and personality intermingle. The men conduct the negotiations while the women. who must be present, observe ritual silnce or speak in whispers.
Food is served to mark the end of the negotiations and palm gin is served.
The groom's representatives eat first. The tensions of the day subside. The film ends when a renowned ritual chanter is asked to recount the history of the first payemenmt of bridewealth. The raw ethnographic material of this film is perfect for courses covering marriage traditions and rituals as well as the role of men and women in rural Eastern Indonesia.