|
In the late 1880's some Indian Tribes were still to be found living much as their ancestors had for centuries. Their customs and cultures still in tact, particularly some on the western Plains and in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies.
One such custom was that of courtship, which had to be accomplished with a minimum of privacy. The girl would stand outside her family's teepee with a big blanket. Her young suitor would come up and she would cover both of them. Inside that robe they would put their faces close together and whisper to each other while people pretended not to see.
Chastity was carefully guarded. Girls were brought up to be good wives and good workers.
Generally marriage was arranged by the parents with the help of go-betweens. there's little latitude for romance, although, occasionally love conquered all. A couple might elope by disappearing into the grasslands, then re-appearing as man and wife several weeks later, the parents might grumble for awhile but then would usually accept it.
Sometimes however, the arrangement was for the betterment of the tribe .Perhaps to cement an alliance. So it was for this young Sarcee princess who had little option. Her disobedience could bring shame, to herself, her family and her tribe.
Weighted by this decision she has gone to her favorite place of solitude to deliberate, although she knows in her heart, she will obey |
