Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 October 1893 — Marriage in Burman. [ARTICLE]

Marriage in Burman.

Destitution is almost unknown, and the wants of life in the temperate climate of Burmah are more easily satisfied than in the colder countries of northern Europe. A young Burmese couple can start life with a da and a cooking-pot. The universal bamboo supplies materials for building the house, lighting the fire, carrying the water from the well, and may even help to compose the dinner itself. The wife is usually prepared to take a share in supporting the household, and thus she has gradually acquired a position of independence not always enjoyed by married women elsewhere. It has been decided that, under the ancient Buddhist custom prevailing in Burmah, a husband cannot alienate property jointly acquired after marriage without the consent of his wife. Few marriages take plaee where either party is under fifteen, and the usual age is between fifteen and twenty-five. Polygamy now practically no longer exists, although in ancient times the Burmese were polygamists as well as slaveholders. Most Burmese have only one wife, and few more than two. The first, or head wife, is usually the choice of the husband in his youth, and when she ceases to have children she often assists in the choice of a young wife, who is bound to obey her. The ease with which divorce is obtained is said to be one of the causes why polygamy is so rare. The terms of divorce are based on ancient rules, one of which is that the party wishing the separation can take his or her property and no more; the other party takes all the rest, including the children. The safeguard against caprice in husbands is not merely public opinion, which condemns too frequent divorces, but the self-respect of women, which prevents them from marrying a man who has divorced his wives too freely. The privilege of perfect freedom in this respect is said to be rarely abused. Divorce is very rare, a fact attributable equally, perhaps, to the high position occupied by women in Burmese society, the care with which marriage contracts are entered into and the extreme evenness of temper which characterizes both sexes. —[London Times.