Pagan races of the Malay Peninsula - Sabrizain.org

84 MARRIAGE CUSTOMS AND BELIEFS part hi
Udai is that made by Newbold, who records that they
are said never to intermarry with the Jakun, who accuse
them of devouring their own dead and of cohabiting
with the beasts of the forest/
Orang Laut or Sea-jakun.
Orang" Laut, S'letar.—Of the marriage customs of
the S'letar tribe we are informed that a mouthful of
tobacco and a single " chupak " of rice handed to the
bride's mother confirmed the hymeneal tie. The
S'letar women intermarried with the Malays, this
custom appearing to be not unfrequent ; they were also
sometimes given to Chinese, and an old woman stated
that she had been united to individuals of both nations,
at an early period in her life.^
Orang" Laut, Sabimba.— Before marriage the bride-
groom, prepared a hut of his own to which he carried
the bride, on the day of marriage, from the house of
the Batin where they were united. Twelve cubits
("hastas") of white cloth, and some betel-leaf and areca-
nut were delivered by the bridegroom into the Batin's
hands for presentation to the parents of the bride.
The children of brothers might not intermarry, but
those of sisters and of a brother and sister might do so.
Adultery was punished by a fine of looo rattans,
seduction of a virgin by compelling the man to marry
her and to give the customary present to her parents.^
To the foregoing should be added the declaration
of the Sabimba that they had no actual ceremonies
at marriage ;
the
preparation of a shed, open on all
sides, and measuring about 6 ft. x 4
ft. (1.8 m. x 1.2 m.),
' Newbold, ii. 381, 382. -J. LA. vol. i. p. 347*.
^ Ibid. p. 297.