"Madango" (first part of dowry proper)—nine goats: five on account of the bride's father and four on account of the mother.
"Matula lusona"—nine goats.
"Lung' hundi"—seven goats.
"Ibululu"—thirteen goats.
"Musenga"—a goat with young to mother of bride.
"Wufuwa"—a goat to uncle of bride.
"Muvumba"—two yards of calico to the bride.
"Malenga"—a second-hand hoe to father of the bride.
It will be observed from this final offering that, as in civilized countries, the hapless father-in-law, having once given his consent, is treated as of little importance.
The preliminaries being over, the marriage ceremony takes place. The bride and bridegroom, feigning bashfulness, run away and hide. When found they are brought (the latter carried on women's backs) to the altar. Here they are made to sit on stools, and are washed in turn, the bridegroom leading the way. He is washed by his brother-in-law, or, in his absence, by some other relative of the bride. This function being over, they are anointed with oil, and the mothers of the happy pair then enjoin them to love one another and to do their work as they ought.