Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 28, 1917.djvu/160

128 repeated marriage offers. For the purpose of negotiation a go-between is appointed. He must be a good talker and an important person in a group. In many cases the chief of the group is entrusted with the mission, as he has more influence than any other person. It is also his duty to settle any dispute which occurs between a man and woman after they are married. The remuneration given to the go-between is paid by the boy's family. It consists of several pieces of beaded cloth and hand-woven stuff, a pot of wine and several chickens. When the go-between is entrusted with his mission he will first consult a bird's omen; if it is a bad omen, he must again consult it; in case the bad omen continues three times, he declines the mission. When the go-between arrives at the girl's house, he must not at once open the negotiations. He must pretend that he only made a friendly visit; and after staying for several days, and when there happens to be a good opportunity, he will open the negotiation with the parents. But it is strictly prohibited to talk on the subject in the presence of brothers and cousins of the girl. If his negotiation fails, the envoy performs a purification rite before leaving the house. In case his proposal is accepted, he must fix the amount of the bride-money between the parties. The bride-money is called Naaze or Binajii, "buying and selling." It usually consists of from twenty to two hundred pieces of beaded cloth, according to the circumstances of the family. In case they cannot obtain beaded cloth a rifle or a piece of hand-woven stuff takes its place. When an agreement as to the bride-money is reached, the whole village or the ceremonial group to which the boy's family belongs go out hunting or fishing. The meat obtained is cut into large slices, and is either preserved with salt or with cooked rice for use at the succeeding ceremonies. Also a large amount of wine is prepared at the house of the boy and his relations. When all these preparations are complete, the fact is communicated to