in turn, feeds her, and the ceremony is complete. The couple may then go
to their new home, but for several years the girl's family will exact a
certain amount of service from the groom.

A slight variation of the usual order occurred recently at the marriage
of one of Datu Tongkaling's sons. At that time all the details were
arranged by the _datu_, who, accompanied by his son and a number of
relatives, went to the girl's house and proposed the union. After the
girl had brought wine, betel nut, and food, and had placed them before
the visitors, she was directed by her mother to make a carrying bag for
her lover. Had she objected to the union and refused to make this gift,
her decision would probably have been accepted as final and all
negotiations abandoned. However, it is not customary for the young
people to refuse to carry out the wishes of their elders. As the girl
offered no objections, the party fell to discussing the price the groom
should pay, and finally, after several hours of bargaining, decided that
he should furnish her father with one _agong_,[37] one horse, and a
double betel box.[38] Five days later, when he paid this sum, he
received a return gift of one _agong_ and ten skirts from the bride's
mother. About one-half the value of the groom's gift was distributed
among the girl's relatives, who were at the same time admonished that,
in case a separation should occur, they would be expected to return an
equal amount. In the presence of about a hundred friends, the pair drank
wine from the same dish, then submitted to having a little hair cut from
their heads, and were pronounced man and wife. Before they retired for
the night the _mabalian_ combed their hair, then, having directed the
groom to precede his bride to their sleeping place, she secured a child
and placed it on the mat between the pair. This, she explained, was an
old custom, and was done so that the girl might not be ashamed, for she
was not the first to sleep there. Having finished this duty, she
returned to the center of the room and placed a number of plates and a
knife on the _tambara_, where they were allowed to remain for four days
as offerings to the _anito_, Manama, Toglai and the _tigyama_.[39] At
the end of that period the plates were attached to the outside walls of
the house, and the knife returned to its former owner. This completed
the duties of the _mabalian_ who returned home carrying an _agong_, the
payment for her services.