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This gift of meat gradually gave place[1] to other gifts of a fixed value. Where the dowry amounts to one bungkay of gold, it is considered proper for the husband to present to his wife 6 dollars as a feast-gift the first time; on later occasions 5 dollars or so is sufficient. For a dowry of 2 bungkays these feast-gifts may amount to 8 or 10 dollars respectively and so on. To this are often added garments and ornaments made of the precious metals. The old appellation is however still retained, and though it is quite well understood that a wife has received from her husband money only as a feast-gift, the question is asked all the same "How much meat has he brought home to you?" (padum jipuwòë sië?).
Here again it must be borne in mind that only gifts of a transitory description (such as meat or the biaya and other money presents) become the property of the woman, while in regard to personal ornaments she can only regard as her own what she receives on the 7th day after her marriage[2], and the present made in token of the loss of her virginity[3].
On the feast-days the husband also receives a return present from his wife, the first time a suit of clothes, which he proceeds forthwith to don; in later years his parents-in-law present him with a dollar or so by way of feast-gift. On such occasions the parents-in-law appear as it were by chance in the passage when their son-in-law is about to leave the house, and he seizes the opportunity to make his obeisance (seumbah) in all haste, for we know how shy the Achehnese is of any encounter with the parents of his wife!
Janji jinamèë.The period during which the wife still remains a charge upon her parents is called janji jinamèë[4]. While it lasts, there subsists between the pair a peculiar relation which is entirely in conflict with Mohammedan law.
This law allows unconditionally to the husband a certain definite portion of the goods of his wife on her decease, and vice versâ. In Acheh this right of inheritance does not become effective till after the janji jinamèë has ceased.
- ↑ These gifts of meat are not however entirely discontinued. Most men whose gampōngs are not too far off from those of their wives bring presents of meat as well as of money.
- ↑ See p. 326 above.
- ↑ See p. 327 above.
- ↑ This properly means "the dowry period agreed on" since the length of this period depends upon the amount of the jinamèë.
