We have spoken of marriage as a formal contract. It should be noted, however, that this contract does not【C1】______the same form. in different societies. In western societies the【C2】______of a man and a woman【C3】______given the status of legal marriage by being registered by an official【C4】______by the state. In some African societies, 【C5】______, marriage has nothing to do【C6】______an official registration of this kind but is legalized by the formal【C7】______of goods. Generally【C8】______is the bridegroom who is required to make a【C9】______of goods to the bride' s kin (亲戚), though sometimes a payment is【C10】______made by the bridegroom' s kin to that of the bride. Among the Nuer, a【C11】______living in Southern Sudan, the payment made to the bride's kin,【C12】______as bridewealth, is in the【C13】______of cattle. Once the【C14】______of bridewealth is agreed【C15】______, and the formal payment is made, the marriage becomes a【C16】______union and the offspring of the union become the acceptable【C17】______of the husband. They remain【C18】______children even【C19】______the wife subsequently leaves him to live with【C20】______man. 【C1】