The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-07-28
MARRIAGE IN MADAGASCAR.
Bride-EIects Who Are Obliged to
Serve Novitates, and Only When
They Please Their Prospective
Husbands Are They Permitted to
Remain as Wives.

We have heard a 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. It's lnhabl-
tants, as far as the women are con-
cerned, offer an interesting study, es-
pecially at 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.
one woman in Madagascar enjoys
great freedom. The Hovas are no
longer savages. They are subject TO
laws and regulations and obey an alb
solute authority which presides over
their political destinies and determines
their social condition.
This power is vested in the queen,
and though in reality she Yields 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 unimportant
action, happens in their lives in which
her name is not mingled, in which her
influence is not felt. Her wishes are
considered as supreme demands ana
she is regarded as a divinity.
! When she gives an audience in her
! palace, her visitors are obliged to o.
serve the greatest ceremony. They ap-
proach her with reverentiaf saluta-
tons and genufiections, the number OF
which are determined by their caste
and honors. Every morning her BODY
| guards present arms before her palace
and before she arises intone the ma
| tlonal hymn. the 'sSidikina," to which
every one listens standing and uncov-
cred. When she goes to any public
ceremony. she walks under a red UNI
! brella orna mented with a golden ball,
through a respectful crowd, who emit
cries of joy, clapping their hands in
unison.
The queens husband, the prime min
lister, is always a man of the people,
and is really the head of the govern
ment. It is he who directs the politics
of the armenian kingdom. Surrounded
by his secretaries. his staff and his
aides-de-camp, who are counted by the
! thousands, ne exercises the power
which the queen represents. He is
! perfectly familiar with all that is pass
ing in Europe, where several of his
sons have been educated, and he is
! ably seconded by skillful advisers.
Marriage among the Hovas presents
/ one popularity which is indigenous to
Malaga scar; it is Away preceded by a
novitiate. if il may be thus termed,
which prevents any unpleasant sur
!
They are authorized to make q prelim-
! mary experiment of the duties and
rights which will follow their union.
! The young girl is introduced into her
future husbands home, and after a
few days is returned TO her parents.
After these formalities 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 al the
head of deputation composed of the
fancee and his family. He expatiates
on the object of the delegation. goes
over the titles. qualities and geneaol-
ogy of the future husband and winds
up by making a formal demand for
the young girls hand.
The father or his representative re-
plies in an eulogistic speech. enumer-
ates the condition of moral conduct
and wise administration which is nee
essary in the household, makes a dis
Greet allusion TO divorce or an AMIGA
BILE separation which will always be
permissa BILE in case Of incompa tibility
and termina ties MS address by granting
his daughters hand. Then the ffancee
gives some earnest money and acquires
marital authority. Ever after the wife
will be counted among his goods and
chatteIs. She becomes a piece of mer-
chandise and may in case of necessity
enter into legal transfers whether for
debts or crimes. 1t is therefore to
husbands advantage to add to the
number OF his wives. This is what he
generally does. POlygamy in this
sanse adds to the wealth Of the house
hold. BELLE M SHERMAN.