Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1895-11-20
MARRIAGE IN MADAGASCAR.
Ceremonies Are of a Somewhat
Peculiar Character.


We have heard great deal about the
war in Madagascar, but very little has
been said about its inhabitants, customs
and superstitions. Some of the latter are
very strange. Its inhabitants, so far as
! the women are concerned, offer an inter
esting study.
The Hovas are no longer savages.
They are subject to laws and regulations
and obey an absolute authority which pre-.
sides over their political destinies and de.
termines their social condition. This
power is vested in the queen, and though
in reality she wields no visible power in
the actual ruling of the country, yet her
influence is so great on the minds OF her
subjects that nothing, even the most un-
important action, happens in their lives
in which her name is not mingled, in
which her influence is not felt. Hell
wishes are considered supreme commands
and she is regarded as divinity.
When she gives an audience in her
palace, her visitors are obliged to observe
the greatest ceremony. They approach
her with reverential salutations and genu-
hections, the number of which are de-
termined by their caste and honors.
Every morning her bodyguard present
arms before her palace and before she
arises intone the national hymn, the
"Sidikina," to which everyone listens
standing and uncovered. When she goes
to any public ceremony, she walks under
red umbrella ornamented with golden
ball, through respectful crowd, who
emit cries of joy, clapping their hands in
unison.
The queens husband, the prime minis
ter, is man of the people and is really
the head of the government. It's he who
directs the policies of the Irmenian king
dom. Surrounded by his secretaries, his
staff and his aides-de-camp, who are
counted by the thousands, he exercises
the power which the queen represents.
He is perfectly familiar with all that is
passing in Europe, where several of his
sons have been educated, and he is ably
seconded by skillful advisers.
Marriage among the Hoyas presents one
peculiarity which is indigenous to NADIA
gascar; it is always preceded by novitiate,
if it may be termed, which prevents any
unpleasant surprises to the married couple
later. They are authorized to make q
preliminary experiment of the duties and
rights which will follow their union. The
young girl is introduced into her future
husbands home, and after few days is
returned to her parents. After these form
alities are complied with, the husbands
family address an official demand to the
young girls family for her hand or they
signify their refusal.
An orator in these affairs repairs to the
home of the future bride at the head OF a
deputation composed of the fiance and his
family. He expatiates on the object OF
the delegation, goes over the titles, quail
tiles and genealogy of the future husband
and winds up by making formal de-
mand for the young girls hand. :.
The father or his representative replies
in eulogistic speech, enumerates the
conditions of moral conduct, and wise
administration necessary in the house
hold, makes discreet allusion to divorce
or an amicabe separation which will al
ways be permissible in case Of lncompati-
bility and terminates his address by grant
ing his daughters hand. Then the tiance
gives some earnest money and acquires
marital authority. Ever after the wife
will be counted among his goods and
chattels. She becomes a piece OF mer-
chandise and may in case of necessity
enter into legal transfers, whether Tor
debts or crimes. 1t is therefore to a
husbands advantage to add to the number
of his wives. This is what he generally
does. Polygainy in this sense adds to
the wealth of the household