When the father is old and his
sons young men, it happens sometimes that he barters females
at his disposal for wives for them.[230]
Roth also reports[231] that exchange of sisters is one mode of
negotiating marriage; and Haddon says that in the region of Torres
Straits marriage is proposed by the woman, but the man must either pay
for her or furnish a woman in return. In Tud, after the young people
have come to an agreement,
they both go home and tell their respective relatives. "For
girl more big (i.e., of more consequence) than boy." If the
girl has a brother, he takes the man's sister, and then all
is settled. The fighting does not appear to be a very serious
business.[232]
Similarly in Maibung:
An exchange of presents and foods was made between the
contracting parties, but the bridegroom's friends had to give
the larger amount, and the bridegroom had to pay the parents
for his wife, the usual price being a canoe or dugong harpoon,
or shell armlet, or goods to equal value. The man might give
his sister in exchange for a wife, and thus save the purchase
price.
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