If A Man Takes A Fancy To Any One Of
Them, It Is Not Considered As Absolutely Necessary That He Should
Make An Overture To The Girl Herself.
The first object is to agree
with the parents concerning the recompense to be given them for the
loss of the company and services of their daughter.
The value of
two slaves is a common price, unless the girl is thought very
handsome, in which case the parents will raise their demand very
considerably. If the lover is rich enough, and willing to give the
sum demanded, he then communicates his wishes to the damsel; but her
consent is by no means necessary to the match, for if the parents
agree to it and eat a few kolla-nuts, which are represented by the
suitor as an earnest of the bargain, the young lady must either have
the man of their choice or continue unmarried, for she cannot
afterwards be given to another. If the parents should attempt it,
the lover is then authorised by the laws of the country to seize
upon the girl as his slave. When the day for celebrating the
nuptials is fixed on, a select number of people are invited to be
present at the wedding - a bullock or goat is killed, and great
plenty of victuals is dressed for the occasion. As soon as it is
dark the bride is conducted into a hut, where a company of matrons
assist in arranging the wedding-dress, which is always white cotton,
and is put on in such a manner as to conceal the bride from head to
foot.
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