Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-05-31
Tirrurays Of
MindanaO

gr00m)-tne IdtneF VI youtl
rises abruptly and announces the i'm
pending union, revealing the names OF
the couple, their parents names. the
amount of tribute paid, and the accom-.
plishments and good qualities of them
both, specifying whether the son is
4 valiant warrior and the daughter a
dutiful child. After this enumeration,
both the maiden and her intended
make a wild endeaYor to escape, that
they may imbibe the deadly tebeli and
avoid this overwhelming shame. In
reality the youth is infatuated with
his dusky bride-to.be, and the little
coqnette of a maid has been making
eyes at him for months. But it Is a
disgrace to want to wed, ven after
the wedding is in operation, sc an
attempt to escape must be made. They
are Immediately seized and bound
with strong reeds-for a moment,
which is deemed sufficient time for
them to overcome the terrible humil-
iation-and upon their release they
modestly cover their faces with their
tnnics and ~assiduously avoid each
other Then commences a thrilling
series Of grotesque antics; the men
dance their war dances, with I'M
sheathed crises, brandishing shields,
decorated with sea-shells and corn
husks, shrimps. roots, and other
things. When they tire, the women
display their terpsichorean accom-.
plishments, and amid a savage medley
Of jingling anklets. beating Of tom.
toms, and low, weird chanting, the
ceremony proceeds. The groom then
gathers his followers around him and
together they overcome a succession
Of obstacles erected out Of doors on
the ground, shese are said 10 typify
different impediments to the union. At
ter an exciting victory, towards night
all enter the house. The young groom
lamains on side of the room WITH
his followers, and the bride on the
other in the midst Of her weeping fe-
male friends and attendants. She, of
course. is crying too. Presently n
of the guests starts chanting a gu e.,
~uncanny parable, whichsis later taken
up by anaIhe voice, arid then anoth-
er. and u until each j present
has addeA the chant, Tnls con
tinues throughout the night. In the
morning, alter ali thu guests nave
contributed something to the purchase
tribute, and the value OF the eo!lec
tion has been reckoned andetonsiaerc
the ceremony Of ietungor Is perform.
ed. This Is the actual marriage ceEe
mony, and il consists in the mother Of
the bride taking tie girls uayo lfots
her mouth, herself cnewiag II, ana
then passing IL On ~ the groom tpI
masticat Ihe newly marsiel eoap
refuctantly touch their heaGs together,
and the ceremony Is concluded.
Another marriage eereaony, nluc.i
simpler, and decidedly cleaner, Is used
inst ad Of this one sometimes. The
bride ami groom stand, one az each
end Of d long pillow whic.i tas bees.
placed on a straw mat On tie LOO.
They touch the lbs 4 eaGn o...
fingers, a belian claps his hands over
their heads and the couple is mar.
rico.
II the bride should die mo matter
OF what cause even II her husband
should kill herr, her husband Is com
PEELED TO marry her sister or nearest
female relative; even il said sister OF
relative should be but a child in arms, ,
he must espouse her and support her
until she attains womanhooi. II the
defunct is without a sister or near
relative to take her place. half Of the
tribute paid for her must be forfeit.
ed by her parents. Or II the girl man.
ages, by hook or crook, 10 get ont
OF marrying her dead sisters husband,
all Of the tribute must be refunded. Ill
Is the same II the husband dies; his
wife Is Obliged to marry his brother
or nearest male relative. or fotteial
her tribute.
II d man ~ptrceiycs that his wife is
snanored 81 another man. he Is Ill III
fled 10 Killing ar 4 Gle can prove
he is inia uated Will another woman
she may .ea,e aim aud retain her
tribute.
Polygamy Is as common among the
Tirrurays as among the Moros, but
the necessary tribute mrst b paid FOL
each additional wife.
II a maiden Is in love with a youth,
she may go TO his house and ask him
TO marry her: but she must take a
mall phial 81 tebeli with her, and
II he refuses 10 max her his wife
she must drink the death drautht.