QUAINT MARRIAGE CUSTOMS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2381, 19 January 1922, Page 4

QUAINT MARRIAGE CUSTOMS.

A Basutn girh is looked upon by her father as his bank, for when she reaches a marriageable age so many cat He will have to be handed over for her by the bridegroom. There is little of love and romance in a Basil to girl’s marriage. The man who wants her does not consult her —he has known her, and she has probably pleased his eye, and so (he dusky Hendriks goes to the girl’s father .and says lie wishes to marry Mai uina.

The matter is then discussed by the heads of the family and (heir relations, and the girl gets to know of the coming marriage only by a chance word Unit may be dropped here and there.

Generally the principal point of discussion is how many cows and sheep are to be banded over to the father by the bridegroom as “lobola”(a marriage dowry) for the girl. This matter having been arranged, the girl is informed that Hendriks is to he her husband for better 01 for worse —generally worse —and whether he he quite an old man or a young man Maluma has to sacrifice herself and go as she is told. The young natives living nearer civilisation have discarded the old customs, and marry without “loboia” being paid over. The wedding guests return from the church to the hut of the girl’s father, and dancing and singing go on continually for two days. The music is made by a concertina and guitar. In all Basuto dances the man and women never dance together. Side by side or opposite each other they stamp and jump and twirl

about with much shouting and weird calls, and when the “orchestra” gets tired their work is taken up by the entire assembly, numbering well over 200, who sing the dance music and clap their hands in unison.