Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 October 1897 — Queer Marriage Custom. [ARTICLE]

Queer Marriage Custom.

A decidedly curious marriage custom obtains in the Island of Hlmia, directly opposite tbe Island of Rhodes. The Greeks, by whom it was peopled, subsist for the most part on the results of the sponge fishery. No girl In the Island is allowed to marry until she has brought up a certain number of sponges, which must be taken from a certain depth. In some of the other Greek Islands, however, this demonstration of ability Is dominated by the men, and if there are several suitors for the hand of any particular maiden her father hands her over to the man who can dive best, and In consequence brings up the largest number of sponges.