Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1895-09-27
MARRIAGE lN MADAGASCAR.


MARRIAGE IN MADAGASCAR.
The Ceremonies Are OF Somewhat Pecu.
liar Character.
Wa have heard great deal about
the war in Madagascar, but very little
has peen said about its inhabitants,
customs and superstitions. Some OF
the latter arevery strange. Its inhabit.
ants, as far as the women are concerned,
offer an interesting study, especially
a. the present moment when the new
woman" is so very much in evidence
as to call forth vituperation from
the highest dignitaries of the church.
The Hovas are no longer savages.
They are subject to laws and regula.
lions, and obey an absolute authority
which presides over their political des.
TIMES and determines their social con.
tition. This power is vested in the
queen, and though in reality she WELD
no visible power in the actual ruling Of
the country, yet her influence is SC
great on the minds of her subjects that
nothing, even the most unimportant
action, happens in their lives in which
her name is not mingled, in which her
influence is not felt. Her wishes are
considered supreme commands, and
she is regarded as divinity.
When she gives an audience in her
palace, her visitors are obliged to OBJ.
serve the greatest ceremony. They
approach her with reverential salnta.
tions and genufections, the number Of
which a.'e determined by their caste
and honors. Every morning her body
guard present arms before her palace
and before she arises intone the ma
tional hymn, the "Sidikini," to which
every one listens standing and uncov-
cred. When she goes to any public
ceremony she walks under red UNI
brella ornamented with golen ball,
through respectful crowd who emit
cries of joy, clapping their hands in
unison.
The queens husband, the prime min
lister, is man of the people and is re-
ally the head of the government. 1t is
he who directs the policies of the IT.
menian kingdom. Surrounded by his
secretaries his staff and his aides-de
camps, who are counted by the thou
sands, he exercises the powers which
the queen represents. He is perfectly
familiar with all that is passing in Eu
rope, where several of his sons have
been educated, and he is ably seconded
by skillful advisers.
Marriage among the Hova's presents
one popularity which is indigenous t.
Madagascar; it is always preceded by I
novitiate, if it may be termed, which
prevents any unpleasant surprises t.
the married couple later. They arr
authorized to make a preliminary ex.
pertinent of the duties and right,
which will follow their union. The
young girl is introduced into her flu
lure husbands home, and after few
days is returned to her parents. After
these formalities are complied with
the husbands family address an offic
ial demand to the young girls family
for her hand or they signify their re
fusal.
An orator in these affairs repairs tt
the home of the future bride at the
head of delegation composed of the
fiance and his family. He expatiate.
on the object of the delegation, goe
over the titles, qualities and geneal
ogy of the future husband and wind
up by making formal demand for tn,
young girls hand.
The father or his representative re
plies in elogistic speech, emu merate
the conditions of moral conduct, ant
wise administration necessary in tn,
household, makes a discreet allusior
| to divorce or an amicable separation
which will always be permissible il
ease of incompatibility and terminate
his address by granting his daughter
hand. Then the fiance gives som
earnest money and acquire marital an
thority. Ever after the wife will b,
counted among his goods and chattels
She becomes piece of merchandis,
and may in case of necessity enter int,
| legal transfers, whether for debts O
crimes. 1t is therefore to husband
advantage to add to the number of hi,
wives. This is what he generally does
Polygamy in this sense adds to the
wealth of the household, Detroit Ere,
Dracc