Pagan races of the Malay Peninsula - Sabrizain.org

7?. MARRIAGE CUSTOMS AND BELIEFS part hi
guests were assembled, the bride and bridegroom
were led forth by one of the old men of the tribe
towards a circle of varying size, round which the girl
commenced to run, the young man pursuing a short
distance behind her ; if he succeeded in overtaking
her, she became his wife, but if not he lost all claim to
her. At other times a yet larger area was appointed
for the trial, and the bridegroom pursued the bride in
the forest/
In addition to the foregoing, we learn from Logan
that the Mantra did not mix socially nor intermarry
either with the other Benua tribes, nor yet with the
Malays," and further that they were strict mono-
gamists.^
Adultery was a capital crime if it could be proved
by witnesses. The sentence of the Batin was carried
into execution by the Penglima. The offenders were
laid prostrate in the nearest brook, and their heads
were kept under water by placing a forked stick over
their necks and driving the points into the bed of the
stream. When the husband was satisfied of his wife's
infidelity, but was unable to prove it, he might desert
her, but was obliged in that case to leave her in pos-
session of the house and clearing, and also to pay her
ten cubits (lo "hastas" = 5 yards) of white cloth, thirty
cents in money, and eight silver rings. The children
remained with the wife, who might not, however,
remarry until the husband took to himself another
wife in her place.**
The right of the husband to beat his wife for any
cause whatever was not recognised by the Mantra,
1 Borie (tr. Bourien), p. 8i. Cp. "^
J.
also Miklucho-Maclay in /. R. A. S.,
"
^ Ibid. p. 270.
S. B., No. 2, p. 216.
^ Ibid. p. 268.
T. A. vol. i. p. 330.