ABSTRACT
A full account of marriage, divorce, the relations of husband and wife, and other subjects, as far as regards Nigeria, has been given elsewhere, 1 and it is unnecessary to repeat that here. But in several cases there are some differences noticeable in North Africa, and it would be advisable to mention these, as well as a few other points of interest. If a youth wishes to show a maiden that he wants to marry her, but is afraid to ask, he may send her a little packet of charcoal (to show that his heart is black), and sugar—which signifies how she appears to him. If she reciprocates she will keep the sugar (to show that her heart is white), but will return the charcoal. If undesirous of his advances, she will return both. Kola-nuts are always included in the dainties for the marriage feast, and form a part of the preliminary present when available, but they are used for proposing less honourable relationships also. “If you desire a woman, particularly someone else’s wife, send her ten nuts, one of which you have previously split almost in two. If she rejects your advances she will return the whole lot; but if she is willing to respond to your advances, she will keep nine and return the split one with a piece bitten off. If she has had only a small bite, you are to go to her house, if a large part she will come to you.” There is but little doubt that in some parts prostitution was once practised by young girls as a means for procuring a dowry.
