Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-05-19
The Noefours of New Guinea.

hidue accOrulnS 10 the mcmahon or by the
free choice of the young people, but OF the
wish of their families, who consult their
convenience alone when they alliance their
children,-most frequently at very tender
age. When the arrangement is completed,
the betrothed are forbidden to associate
with each other. The etiquette which reg
ulates the affair is very rigorous, and
presses heavily upon the little fances.
They are forbidden TO look at each other,
and II is enjoined upon the young girl So as
to arrange matters that her future husband
cannot see her. When they meet each
other on the road,-an accident which can
not fail to occur Occasionally,-the girl,
who rarely goes out alone, being warned by
her companions, is bound to keep herself
hidden behind a tree or bushes from the
time that her future lord and master comes
In sight till he has passed by. 1t happens
often that the two are of the same COM
pany,-for instance, when they cross from
one island to another IN the same boat.
Then the chIldlike and simply courtesy
which gives the law in these regions de-
mands that they turn their backs, and look
steadfastly in opposite directions The be-
trothed must also avoid ali contact with the
members, both masculine and feminine, of
the family into which they are about to
enter. From the future father-in-law and
the future mother-in-law they must guard
themselves as from the plague. One day
when Mr.. Van Hassslt was in his school.
one OF the boys suddenly threw himself un-
der the table, where he remained motion
less. Not knowing what to think. the
frightened teacher was rushing to the child,
when his comrades called him back. sIt
is nothing, they said, '-only his brothers
future mother-in-law is going byl" and then
explained to the astonished foreigner that
if the boy should 80 much as look at this
expected relative, his brothers iance would
have an accident before the marriage. But
let US return to the bethrothal Marriages in
Noefourian high life are not celebrated with
out splendor and parade, although their
wedding ceremonies are characterized by a
reserve and 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, car
ries her on her back; while another binds
her arms as though she were captive, and
leads her by rope to the home of her be-
trothed. 1t is a symbol of slavery-a
souvenir of the ancient servitude which the
aristocratic class, everywhere conservative
of the traditions Of the past, has preserved.
Marriages among the lower clsases are DIFF
ferently conducted In this case the pro-
cession starts from the house of the bride
groom, who leads a crowd of relatives and
friends, each one bearing present. The
procession begins 10 march at nightfall, -
for it must be made with torches, classical
emblem of the hymeneal fires On reach
ing their. destination, the bridegroom is pre-
sented 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 cOnquering gaze.
The young man approaches till within two
feet Of her, turn on his heel, and then they
are back to back, in the midst of a numer-
GUS assembly, the men on one side. the
women on the other. After the entertain
llent, the bride is led into her own room,
still not daring TO meet the terrible glance
of her husband, and keeping her back turn
ed to the door; seeing which, the husband
also turns his back upon her. The whole
night is spent IN this manner. They sit
there moti0nless having some one 10 brush
away the flies, and without speaking a
word. 1t is veritablc watch on their
arms. If they grow sleepy, some one of
the assistants, who take turns in doing this
service, nudges them with his elbow; if
they keep wide awake, the bridal pair are
assured of long life and green old age.
In the morning they separate, still without
looking at each other, to refresh themselves
after the fatigues of the previous night, in
order to repeat the performance the second
night, and the third night, and even the
fourth, without being permitted to relin-
quish the siege. On the fifth morning,
with the first rays of the sun, the young
people at last look each other full in the
face. That suffices; the marriage is con-
sidere0 accomplished, and the newly y-wedded
pair receive the customary congratulations
Not till the following night do the watch
eTs leave them; and the husband is bound
in honor to slip away before dawn, since
his bride cannot be expected yet to endure
second 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 modesty would not
be suitable for slaves. They throw them
selves into each others arms, and all is
done.