The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-01-21
MARRIiGE CUSTOMS IN TERRA DEL
FUEGO.

From he London Daiiy Wars.

from ne LoHdon Ddity N'Ts.
Among the most interesting observations
made by Lieut.. Bove in Terra del Fue.o are
those on the Jngan tribe which counts about
5000 individuals. who inhabit portion OF tho
southwest Of the country.
We give the account in Lieut.. Boves words:
The JaSan, impress one rs n poor race. In
general. the men are scarcely more than OF
medium stature. while the women rarely reach
t.. The faces Of this race are round. largo and
large. Hat noscs, very black and restless eyes,
Md Wdn nphr larsn. tnnd LIS and strong laws
chest are Extraordinarily large compared
to the extreme s!end"rncss Of arms and legs,
the ieySoped trunk and i henv Sn hcs support
In spite Of this strange formation. both mon
taxed the robustest of our sailors. No less
ssmrpri.in;g is Il" smpllness Of their hands and
taseous to tie men, who can carry only one or
1Yo objects in their hands ct the time.
they wear long. and falling over tho face and
shoulders some bind il with a leather straI,.
they look more like furics than human being.
Though F1esian may marry AS many wives
and even with that small number it is difficult
TO- preserve domestic peace. The wigwn,l )
pre!tiest Of the wives pays with her lie for the
preference of her husband Sometimes, how
hysr the wives Tn all Mnte against Their common
bands at ten or twelve years OF age. but th"y
only become mothers at the age OF seventeen
The men marry at Or 10 years of age The
love orrecprorai sympathy. The father chooses
from among the suitors for hi, daughter the one
mis- wishes. and lNes the number Of furs to 6e
E Fry h ana DAYS asn mat his min must work
eth PROPERTY Of iti,% bride ,D' '''''o" are 10
when all s settled the bride is informed
ana, whatever may be her sentiments she fakes
go2d care to show no resistance to her father.
I nmt u tnEeh away ~ TO- her husbands wigwnn
daughters, for nowhere do strength and dev.
tcrity make u greater impression than upon the
fneglnn girls, who ny from crooked or de-.
There, is no feast or wedding ceremony.
w mae prlde simply foes to her husbands wig
father. But some rules have to be obsarv"a
u the husband wishes to continue to eat The
purifying bait in the sea the morning after his
S %eh1hn ~ w,n Snsh Saih Specially in the
a rssy yrR or are subss Ths wS%aS
number q, children. but often a It'll vo,,Ss.
w4 rha VII have ten or twelve,
,, Ihe children, however seldom all survive
i,nnelr parents. Tor the mortality between 2 10
~ years Of age Is eStraor,linnry: The variable
parents are the CHIEF causes Of the de az ' n
these miserable infants yet unarmod against
another evil introduced by civilization. hrs
come 10 ndd to those that so ravage these un-
happy natives. Ma
Iho smaliness Of the new-b born children il
s 81. that childbirth is extremely easy. When
inc great moment arrives tho future moth.r
leaves her wigwam. accompanied by few L.
mae lriends. ana seeks secure retreat In the
woods: The very next day the young mother
Is oitsn seen fishing in canoe or gathering.
slleilnsh along the coast. Tho mother's love
lasts. y may b. said. until the babe is weaned'
a iI;r which affection rapidly dminishe. MS the
cuiiu crows and Is completely gone when the
iattrr httalnS tho ago 81 seven or eight years.
Az ms axe the parents have no more AUTHORITY
oyer inc boys, who go ont and come IN as thew
ilk NJ, ana are never asked what they are doing
me only lasting love in the heart OF n Fucs-
lan - the love Of self. How often have seen
iai heer Ievpnrlng piece Of meat or bread
while MS vanishing wives and children silently
watched ,'iaI, MIN with their hungry eyes Kindly
picking up the crumbs that fell from his mouth.
and darling ravenously upon tn. rcunants
,,nroMWn to them by tho ferocious heal Of tho
!ahlity As there are no family lies the word
authority is void OF meaning among the
futSlans. Every family enjoys the ui most indie.
tendencc, ana only tn" need of common do!r!.Us
induces lew families ~ form u small tribe.