COURTSHIP IN KAFIRST

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2570, 29 December 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

COURTSHIP IN KAFIRST

—A FRONTtun correspondent of Military Gazetteof Calcutta remote tribes of Kafirs tin as follows "A Kafir, having fixed his affections upon some, female, acquaints his parents with his intentions. They apply to the girl's parent's, and if the latter do not consent to the union a fight in inevitable. If the parties agree, the proceeding is to appoint two expert female negotiators, wiio obtain access by strategem to the house with the intention of broaching the subject to the young lady. They carefully avoid any sudden or abrupt mention of the awful subject of their mission, but launch out in praises of the man who seeks her hand. They speak of his possessions, his coinage, ami accomplishments. The girl, pretending to be affronted even at these remote hints grows refractory ami runs away, tearing the ringlets of her hair as she retires. The female ambassadors, having got the consent of the parents, drag her from her concealment and carry her by force to the house of her destined husband, and there leave her. She is compelled to remain here for several days, silent and dejected, refusing food, till at last, if kind entreaties do not prevail, she is made to submit by blows to the union. The Kafir who has the reputation of having committed a number of murders of Ma?ioniedan< •,n----joys exceptional privileges ; he is re ted by all the neighbourhood, and ~x-perienees perienees little or no difficulty in procuring a wife. Tho Kafir woman is doomed to a life of toil and drudgery, and the husband can discard her whenever lie feels so disposed."