The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-06-22
MATRiARcHY



| In Harper's Magazine, Mrs. Carrie
Chapman Gait tells of a tribe in Su-
matra where there is still a survival
of matriarchy, and women play an i'm
portant part in affairs.
Now that a closer acquaintance with
the M~enan2kabau is made possible, it
is known that their fundamental insti-
buttons belong to The Matriarchate, or
Age of the Mothers Rights, which
many sociologists BELIEVE to ave been
a stage through which al! races have
passed. They number 1920 900, and
occupy a territory eight times the size
of the Netherlands. The women own
the land and houses; family names de-
Scend in the female line, and mothers
, are the sole guardians of their chill
dren. Some of the customs of the peo-
pie have been DETECTED from their nor
NAL course OF development by two
powerful patriarchal influences. At a,
remote period of unknown date the
Hindus oVerran the chief islands of the
archipelago. How long they remained,
or why they withdrew, or if they merely
lntermarried with the native peoples
they visited and thus lost their identity.
are questions that are asks many
times, though never answered.: but
they left a permanent impress of their
arts. religion, and ideas of caste. The
other external Influence came through
Arab traders and priests, probably
about the Thirteenth century, who con
verified the people to Mohammedanism
and formed a connection which has
been internationally continued until the
present day. Since Hindus and Mo-
hammedans alike assign women to
secluslon and a position of utter sub
ordination to men, it is evident that
there was something tremendously
virile in the Mothers Rights institu-
tl0nS of the Mons ol,o ho,, N. Snr1n-r
thing unusual i'll their environment, to
have withstood such all dominating
forces. This conclusion becomes the
more apparent when taken in
ton with the fact that distinct traces
OF the Mariarchate are to be found
throughout the Malay race, to which
these people belong, though nearly all
tribes have substituted patriarchate in
stitltions.
Marriage is eXogamic, and before
the days of Mohammedanism all hus-
bands doubtless went to live in the
homes of their motherinlaw, as is the
usual custom under the Matriarchate.
The polygamy allowed by Mohammed
interfered with this practice, nj a
curious compromise was effected be-
tween these opposing institutions which
has permitted both to exist. The poly
gamous husband now remains in the
family of his own mother, and merely
visits his wife in the home of his
motherlnlaw If he takes the four wives
authorized by the Koran, he usually
spends a week with each, or at least he
times his visits of equal lengths
watchful mothersinlaW, with an eye to
the family eXchequer, see to it that he
does not overstay the prescribed period.
Here he eats and sleeps in the apart
ment Of his wife. In former times,
since the women controlled the land
and carried the family pocketbook, the
husbands made no contribution toward
the family expenses. Instead, the men
were supported by their wives and re-
celVed their pocket money as a gift
from them. Now, many men have at
tanned economic independence through
the opening of new occupations and
business opportunities brought about
by the Dutch ~occupacy, and such men
are expected to bring a gift of food.
clothing. or money to their wives upon
the occasion of each visit. No law COM
pels his attention, but popular opinion
has thus far done it's perfect work, and
few men avoid the obligation.
AS social intercourse is as free as in
America. young people fall in love in a
natural way and make their own choice
OF matrimonial partners, but when the
choice is made negotiations between
the parents OF the young couple begin
and the price which the bride shall pay
Tor the husband is determined, as we'll
as details for the proper celebration Of
the wedding. For an ordinary mar the
sum paid rarely exceeds $50, but $3.50
is gladly paid for a head man, whose
position is regarded as one of great
! dignity"