The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-03-02
LANDS WHERE EVERY
YEAR IS LEAP YEAR

Washington. u. c.. March i-''Oncc
again with 1890 women have a chance
to take the initial step toward provid
ing themselves with an Introduction
ITO the heavenly kingdom. a boon which
marriage brings to them, according to
year which leak forward day,
bringing to them privilege monop-
oitzed by man three years out OF four.
has no Significance for women of many
lands. since they enjoy that liberty all
the time says a bulletin from the Ma
It.enaI Geographic Society issued today
from it's Washington headquarters.
The women OF no race possess more
freedom in this matter than the Hopt
Indians of Arizona the bulletin con-
tinues. "A maiden does not WOO tn.
man of her choice. but simply and
forcibly states her proposition to hts
mother without any announcement on
his part. Her only preliminary pro-
ceeding Is to do her hair In two gi-
Sartic whorfs, one over each ear.
This is her announcement that she Is
going accounting. These peculiar
knets are intended to represent the
blossoms of squash vine. symbol of
virginity, but to those untutored in
doorknobs set at rather violent an
gle. when some dehutantes thus an
rounce that they are out on the car
pet. 1t is said that as many as six or
eight of the eligible young men of
the tribe literally take to the woods.
After this aggressive young lady
has selected her victim and his
rtother has agreed that he shall be
sacrhced she serves in the house OF
her future mothAr-in- for thirty
days grinding meal. very much after
the fashion that Jacob OF old served
fourteen years for Rachel. The poor
youth in the meanwhile does not sit
idly by, but weaves her wedding gar
me nts.
Among the Batus of the Uganda
Protectcrate of Africa. IL a girl is not
fortunate enough to be asked in mar
r!age IN her home town. she goes to
another village and offers herself to
some man there, Though not hcnored
in her own country. she at least re-
caves consideration in that of her
nc.ghbor for woman is an excellent
agricultural laborer and a man is not
likely to refuse such a business asset.
THE Gala woman OF the eastern
&C ast of Africa has the rare privilege
PIE of refusing to marry u man who
is undesirable to her
Little Is known Of the marriage
customs OF the ancient Egyptians. but
we can easily believe that women had
at least the PRIVILEGE OF expressing a
preference IL they did not actually do
tie proposing. for. II we trust the his
tor'an Diodorus a man promised his
wife to grant her complete control
her commands.
Some survival of this liberty OF
Ervptian women must have permeated
other portions of Africa, for Processes
or the west coast OF that continent
whose children may become future
rulers choose their own husbands.
Nor la a princess limited in her choice
to unmarried men. She may just ~
easily decide upon one who has Al.
ready entered the marriage state and
the poor fellow has TO put away his
other wives and become her slave.
Moreover she has the power 81 life and
death over him He sometimes has
only one consolation--he inherits all
her property II he is fortunate enough
To be spared until har death.
I'm the Tyrol girl may express her
pi efenence sfor = man by presenting
him with a bottle Of spirita- II sha II
endorsement OF her parents she may
ccntrive to lower the precious huid
at night from her chambet window.
"In north Pennsylvania. young
peasant woman may Give particular
swain = tip that he In the apple Of her
eye by going with him In his cart 1T
the time Of the harvesting ohthe oats
10 help him carry In his crop. II ID
said that ct this season one sometime
sees procsssion Of gAily decorated
csrtsgoing aield. willing maid
.seated In each.
''One Of tho obligations OF . father
sn Rumania and Bosnia IN to provide
so we'll for his marriaxeable daughter
that when she 10 presented with list