The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-02-06
APACHE INDIAN MARRIAGES.

When brave concludes to marry,
either a first or any subsequent wife, the
manner of his cOurtship IS the same
He makes no effort to become agreeable
to his intended bride-indeed, rarely if
ever notices her, OF speaks to her, ex-
cept in answer to questions she may put
to him. He pays more attention, how
ever, to her male relations, particularly
her brothers, if she has any. Finally,
/ if he becomes satisfied that declaTa-
tiOn viii not be rejected then the whole
affair is accomplished in a few hours,
and generally in this fashion. At night
/ he takes the presents intended for the
{ girls parents. who alone are entitled to
( receive any, and places them near the
/ lodge in which she resides If the pres
/ ents are horses, they have their trappiDgs
also, and are tied with macade near the
/ lodge if a COW is 10 be given, single
straw, OF "A cows horn, which signifies
/ the intention, is tied to the lodge. IF
/ the presents are accepted, which almost
always happens, the girl goes in the
4 morning and builds new lodge or hut
for herself and husband, and puts the
( straw in il for their bed. Ii he man IS
rich, there is some ceremony about the
marriage if poor, very little or none.
J When the parties are of consequence,
one of the orators of the tribe is employ
| ed by the bridegroom to place the pres
ents near the lodge and make speech
to the brides family for him. The ora
tor stands at distance of several
Yards, and in his best style makes the
declaration of his principal. In this he
dilates on his qualiJies-h1s courage, ms
skill in hunting, or anything in which
he is distinguished. The orator con-
fines himself strictly to the truth in his
Ii vol
will maintain and defend his bride. but
at the same time informs her family
that he may at some future time take
another wife, and even may become
tired of her and send her home ali OF
which are the necessary incidents oi
, Apache married life. He also tells them
that while she should remain his only
wife he would be faithful 0 her. and
should expect fidelity, obedience and
! service from her. When he returned
r.om hunting. foray or play he wanted
! his food prepared as soon as possible
/ and he should expect her always TO havt
5 a store OF food on hand so that he nigh
4 never want. On his part he wOul'
bring her game and spoIls of the enem
T when he could. After the speech max
+ ing. daring which Indians about TIN
/ camp usually rise mp on their elbow
e and listen, ali then 20 TO sleep. tn
@ next morning the girl, sometimes assist
s cd by her companions, builds neN
= lodge 10 commence married life IN
= Her relatives make presents TO ia
parents or Family OF tie husband, an
o this is all that gvi..eerally IS done:
: Before finishing this sr,,,V / VIII si'ta
= of a strange custom among Tf,-- %
p dians, for which they can give no rea
2 son. It IS considered a great inleceuc
: for man TO look at his mother in-iaw
a face. ard still more 10 speak Of her.
+ by chance they happen TO come close to
j CetheT. one runs Ia one direction anl
h the other in an opposite one until the
n are several yards apart. Sometimes,
. they happen Ia be near Of an age. pre-
s tense of intending 10 approach eac
{ other is INDUCED in as joke For IN
< stance, the snu-in-lBw Is in q hut. au
d the mother approaches near enough L
= be heard. and calls to him that she
q approaching. He replies, "DO yO
& know am here - She answers. y IS
a but / am coming, all the same II
c then dares her TO come, but iuvariabi
l. when he peTceives she is getting ueaTe
f than good breeding allows, he takes t
q his heels, to the great diversion of loOb
e eTs-on. l never heard any reason give
IS for this custom. but it is universal, an
); never broken over except in very q
- treme cases. Son Francisco Post.