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Pre-contact Guam
Marriage and Marriage Rites
• Marriage
o Rules about marriage: Incest taboos stated, men could not marry their sisters, first cousins, nieces, or daughters (even if they were adopted), or clan members.
o Young women could not marry (those haven’t reached full puberty)
o Widows and children were taken care of by their father’s brother, unless the returns back to her relatives.
• Marriage Rites
o Boys usually married between the age of 15 and 18 years old
o Girls generally married between 12 and 15 years old
o Female relatives ask for the girl’s hand in marriage.
o Offering of betel nut
o Presentation of gifts
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