Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-06-17
NOEFOURs OF NEW GUINEA.
How They Marry and are Given
in Marriage.
international Review

International Review
Among the islanders marriages are
not made according to the inclination
or by the free choice of the young
people, but at the wish of their fami-
lies, who consult their convenience
alone when they alliance their chill
dren-most frequently at a very ten
der age. When the arrangement is
completed, the betrothed are forbid
den to associate with each other.
The etiquette which regulates the af-
fair is very rigorous, and presses
heavily upon the little ~fiauces. They
are forbidden to look at each other,
and it is enjoined upon the young
girl so to arrange matters that her flu
ture husband cannot see her. When
they meet each other on the road-an
accident which cannot fail to occur
occasionally-the girl, who rarely goes
out alone, being warned by her com
panions, is bound to keep herself
hidden behind a tree or bushes
from the time that her fu-
ture lord and master comes in
sight till he has passed by. 1t hap
pens often that the two are of the
same company-for instance, when
they cross from the island to another
in the same boat. Then the child
like and simple courtesy which gives
the law in these regions demands that
they turn their backs, and look stead
lastly in opposite directions. The
betrothed must also avoid all con
tact with the members, both mascu-
line and feminine, of the family into
which they are about to enter. Mar
riages in N~oefourian high life are not
celebrated without splendor and pa
rade, although their wedding cere-
monies are characterized by a reserve
and a modesty very remarkable in a
savage people of the tropics. Adorned
with the most beautiful ornaments,
the bride is conducted through the
village. One woman having seized
her by the legs, carries her on
her back while another binds her
arms as though she were a captive,
and leads her by a rope to the home
Of her betrothal. 1t is a symbol OF
slavery-a souvenir of the ancient SER
vitude which the ~aristocratic
class, everywhere conservative
Of the traditions OF the past,
has preserved. Marriages among the
lower ~classesare differently conducted.
In this case the procession starts from
the house of the bridegroom, who
leads a crowd of relatives and friends,
each one bearing a presant. The
procession begins to march at night
fan. for it must be made with torches,
classical em0lem of the hymenial
fires. On reaching their destination
the bridegroom is presented to the
brides relatives, who lead him into
her chamber. She awaits him with
her back turned, indicating that she
does not dare to meet his conquerinp
gaze. The young man approaches
within two feet of her, turns on hi.
heel, and then they are back to ba k
in the midst Of a numerous assembly
the men on one side, the women on
the other. After the entertainment
the bride is led into her own room
still not daring to meet the terrible
glance of her husband, and keeping
her back turned to the door, seeinl
which, the husband also turns his
back upon her. The whole night !.
spent in this name They sit there
motionless. having some one to brush
away the flies, without speakingaword
1t is averitable watch on their arms
If they grow sleepy some one of the
assistants, who take turns in doinl
this service, nudges them with his ell.
bow If they keep wide awake, the
bridal pair are assured of long life anC
a green old age. In the morning they
separate, still without looking at each
other, to refresh themselves after the
fatigues Of the previous night, and the
third, and even the fourth, without
being permitted to relinquish the
siege. On the fifth morning, with the
first rays of the sun, the people at last
look each other full in the face. That
sufices the marriage is considered
accomplished, and the newly welded
pair receive the customary congratu-
l%ations. Not till the following night
do the watchers leave them and then
the husband is bound in honor to sir
away before dawn, since his bride can.
not be expected yet to endure a sec.
ond time in broad daylight his terrible
look. She will not dare to meet his
gaze until after an interval of four
more days and nights So much mod.
esty would not be suitable for slaves.
They throw themselves into each 9th.