The Evolution of Marriage and of the FamilyLetourneau, Ch. (Charles)
Science
The Evolution of Marriage and of the Family
Letourneau, Ch. (Charles)
Families; Marriage
There are in Kabyle two kinds of repudiation. In one, the husband
simply says, “I repudiate thee;” and he repeats this formula three
times. The wife remains dependent on him until he sells her by means
of a price of redemption. If he accepts from the father or some other
man this price (_lefdi_) he must, when the sum is once counted out,
declare before witnesses that he gives up all rights over his wife.
Then, and only then, the marriage is dissolved.[754] Under the other
form of repudiation the husband says, “I repudiate thee, and I put such
a sum on thy head.” The formula is pronounced once, twice, and thrice.
In this case the husband is irrevocably bound, and by paying the sum
fixed, the wife has the power to marry again; at the same time, the
husband can specify the conditions, can say, for example, that if the
woman is married to such or such a man, the price of redemption will be
doubled or tripled. Sometimes the sum is so great that it amounts to
an absolute interdiction of any fresh marriage, and the woman is then
designated “a prevented one” (_thamaouok’t_).[755] When the formula of
repudiation has only been pronounced once or twice, the husband can,
by means of a fine paid to the _djemâa_, and with the consent of the
father-in-law, take back his wife; but he loses his reputation, and his
testimony is no longer legal. If the formula has been pronounced three
times, it is irrevocable. As for the other revocation, public opinion
does not admit that it may be revocable, unless it has only been
declared once, and that the husband find a priest who will consecrate a
fresh union.[756]
If, after repudiation, the Kabyle woman marries again, and becomes a
widow, the first husband can retake her without repayment and without a
fine.[757]
Without pronouncing the formula of repudiation, the Kabyle husband has
the power to send his wife back to her family, with the consent of the
said family. If the husband has serious reasons of displeasure he sends
her to her parents without forewarning them, mounted on an ass, and
conducted by a servant or a negro. This treatment is so ignominious
for the wife that it is equal to repudiation, and public opinion then
forbids the husband to take her back. Sometimes, in case of proved
adultery, the husband sends the wife back to her family, after having
shaved her head; the guilty one is then for ever dishonoured, and
however beautiful she may be, she never finds another husband.[758]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account