MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, ETC.

MARRIAGE.

There are two modes of marriage used here:  one by purchase, called jujur or kulu, the other by adoption, called ambel anak.  First of jujur.

JUJUR.

When a person is desirous of marrying he deposits a sum of money in the hands of the father of the virgin, which is called the pagatan.  This sum is not esteemed part of the purchase, but as an equivalent for the dandanan (paraphernalia, or ornamental apparel) of the bride, and is not fixed but varies according to the circumstances and rank of the father.  The amount of the jujur is fixed at seventy dollars, including the hurup niawa (price of life), forty dollars, a kris with gold about the head and silver about the sheath, valued at ten dollars, and the meniudakan billi or putus kulo (completion of purchase) at twenty.  If a young man runs away with a gadis or virgin without the consent of the father he does not act contrary to the laws of the country; but if he refuses to pay the full jujur on demand he shall be fined twenty-eight dollars.  If the father, having received the pagatan of one man, marries his daughter to another before he returns the money to the first, he shall be fined fourteen dollars, and the man who marries the daughter shall also be fined fourteen dollars.  In case of divorce (which may take place at the will of either party) the dandanan brought by the wife is to be valued and to be deducted from the purchase-money.  If a divorce originates from the man, and before the whole purchase-money is paid, the man shall receive back what he has advanced after deducting the dandanan as above, and fourteen dollars, called penusutan.  If the divorce originates with the woman the whole purchase-money shall be returned, and the children, if any, remain with the father.  If a divorce originates with the man, when the whole purchase-money has been paid, or kulo sudah putus, he shall not be entitled to receive back the purchase-money, but may recall his wife whenever it shall be agreeable to him.  An exact estimation is made of the value of the woman’s ornaments, and what are not restored with her must be made good by the husband.  If there are children they are in this case to be divided, or if there be only one the husband is to allow the woman fifteen dollars, and to take the child.  Secondly, of ambel anak.

AMBEL ANAK.

When a man marries after the custom called ambel anak he pays no money to the father of the bride, but becomes one of his family, and is entirely upon the footing of a son, the father of his wife being thenceforward answerable for his debts, etc., in the same manner as for his own children.  The married man becomes entirely separate from his original family, and gives up his right of inheritance.  It is however in the power of the father of the wife to divorce from her his adopted son whenever he thinks proper, in which case the husband is not entitled to any of the