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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 52

Betrothal

Betrothal.

From what I have been able to learn, verified by other evidence, I am led to believe that every woman is betrothed at a very early page 39 age. I could never understand the principle upon which this delicate matter was arranged; it is according to some mysterious law of their own. Anything approaching to incest is not for a moment thought of or tolerated; as every woman is supposed to marry, a husband is chosen for her either from her own or from some friendly tribe. I believe this is arranged by the old men, the women having nothing whatever to say in the matter. The age of the proposed husband is not taken into consideration, so that it often happens that by the time a girl is of a marriageable age her intended is an old man. In the meantime some other younger men have set their hearts upon her; this, as in all similar cases, means fighting, so that in claiming a wife a black-fellow has to encounter at least one rival. The unfortunate woman, whilst being dragged away, is certain to come in for a large share of the blows which the rival suitors deal out to each other. On these occasions there is great excitement in the camp, especially amongst the women, who join in with the bride in uttering loud screeches and yells.

In the coast districts the betrothal of a young woman to a man who follows the occupation of a fisherman compels her to lose the first joint of the little finger of her left hand. This operation is performed by winding around the joint several turns of the strong cobweb or gossamer which is so frequently met with in the bush. This is a slow and very painful operation.

On one occasion whilst travelling I saw a black carrying a woman away on horseback. They turned off the road and ascended a range when they perceived me. Some hours afterwards I met another black, and was enabled to give him some account of this couple so far as I had seen. He claimed the woman as his wife, and at once continued the pursuit. It appears that on coming up with the runaways the two men had a desperate fight; but in consequence, it would seem, that as no members of the tribe were present to decide the dispute, it was arranged by them to bring the matter before a Magistrate. Whilst proceeding to the Court-house a third black, who was encamped close by, saw and claimed the woman as his lawful wife according to all the laws of the tribe. In Court the woman acknowledged the truth of this claim—that she had been given to this man when quite a girl—but, now he was old and ugly, she could never like him; the only man she cared for was the man with whom she was eloping. The dilemma in which the Magistrate was placed by these admissions on the part of the woman was removed by a very ingenious arrangement suggested by the woman herself, the details of which I now forget, but papers were signed and duly witnessed on both sides, binding each other over to preserve peace, &c., for six months.