ABSTRACT
Tio society knew two forms of transfer of persons from one kin group to another: marriage and slavery. The process by which a marriage is made involves a choice of partners, the exchange of a woman for compensation and ceremonies celebrating the match. Several types of marriages were known according to the type of exchange involved: direct exchange of girls, the giving of a girl in return for bridewealth. A spectacular form of marriage where no bridewealth was paid is known as 'wife of authority'. Matters pertaining especially to the marital union include residence at marriage, the expected behaviour patterns between affines, the rights over a woman as a wife and bearer of children and the rules with regard to adultery. What was important in the marital relationship was that it was an alliance from which children could be born. The theory of bridewealth as a simple exchange for women seems to run into difficulties.
