The neighboring tribes found themselves adopting a hand-fasting ceremony of A Year and A Day which required a couple to stay  joined for a year and a day if the Clan expected to collect the dowry (--usually land from the groom's family--another variance on most cultures.--ed)  That the neighboring tribes when to such lengths to make marriages work for both parties demonstrates the Widows' ability of to make themselves into high demand commodities.

At the conclusion of the trial period, the land was received and the couple could decide if they wished to continue with the marriage.

Handfasting Continues