The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-10-06
Marriages in Different Nations.

In Ceylon, one of'the principal cere-
monies consists in tying together the cloth
ing of the bridegroom and bride, to signi-
fly that they are bound together for life.-
This ceremony is performed in the pres
ence of their friends, and with such fes-
tivities as the means Of the parties will
admit. .l@ @iislis .t ai
In Java, there are three kinds of mar
riages. The first, and most common is
where the parties are of equal condition,
or the bridegroom is the superior of the
bride; the second is, when the wife's sta.
ton is much higher than that Of the hus-
band, and the third is kind of half mar
I'riage, the offspring Of which are not ad-
mitted to an equality with other children.
This MARRIAGES. quite unceremonious, but
the other modes are celebrated with some
display. The first wife is always the head
of the family.
Girls in Java, are married at so early
an age, that single woman at twenty
two is almost unheard of. A price is al
ways paid by the bridegroom. The bride.
groom, splendidly mounted, accompanied
by his friends with music, goes to salute
his bride. She comes out and meets
them with low obesance. They sit to-
gether on an elevated seat and eat of the
same dish, after which they go to the mos
que, and the nuptails are celebrated ac-
cording to the Mahommedan ritual.-
Then ensues wedding procession through
the village, wedding feast and at the end
Of five days another procession, in which
the bride is conducted to the residence of
her husband. In some places the spin
ming wheel, loom and kitchen utensils are
carried in the bridal procession. In others
the bride washes the bridegroom's feet. in
token of subjection. "
In Sumatra, the Battas have as many
wives as they please, generally five or six,
who all live in the same apartment with
their common husband, but each has sep
arate fire place. Husbands purchase their
wives of their fathers.in-law, and gamble
them away, or they can sell them whenev-
er they please.
Among the Redjangs, another tribe, be-
sides the purchase of wives, man is some
times adopted by the girls father as a son.
in-law, and both are subject to the parent;
and there is another marriage, where both
! men and women pay an equal price, and
are on perfect equality. The ceremonies
I are very simple.
In Bolneo, no man is allowed to solicit
damsel in marriage until he has cut off
the head of an enemy When this con-
dition is fulfilled, the lover makes presents
( to his mistress, if they are accepted, an
entertainments is given by her parents,
and on the ensuing day by his parents
After the feast the bridegroom is conduct
ed home to the house Of the bride. At
the door friend sprinkles him with the
blood of cock, and her with the blood of
hen, and the parties then give each 9th.
er their bloody hands, and from that time
they live together If a man lose his wife,
he cannot marry second, until he cuts
off the head of another enemy.
In Celebes, the husband receives no 9TH
er dowry with his wife than the presents
she obtains before the ceremony. As soon
as the young couple are married, they are
shut up in an apartment by themselves for
three days, a servant brings them the ne
cessary food, while their friends are enter
tanned with merriment by the BRIDES father.
At the end Of this time they are liberated,
receive the congratulations of their friends,
and are conducted home.
The marriage customs of the natives of
New Holland are rather more curious
than agreeable. Before girl is given to
her husband, hertwo front teeth are knock
ed out. The lover then throws kangaroo,
skin over her shoulder, spits in her face
several times, marks her with painted
stripes of different colors, orders her to
march to his hut with his provision bag;
if she does not march fast enough to please,l
him he administers few kicks by the
way. The savages generally steal wives
from the tribes with whom they are at en-
nifty. As soon as they perceive girl
without any protector, they rush upon her,
Supply her with blows OF club, and drag
her through the woods with the utmost vio-
lence. Her tribe retaliate merely by COM
mitting similar outrage There are no
other wedding ceremonies among these
savages.
The Moors marry at a very early age.
Wives are always purchased, and the faith.
er Of the girl cannot refuse an offer, unless
there is some stain upon the young mans
character. The bridal tent is adorned |
with a small white flag, and the BRIDE
groom's brow is encircled with fillet of
the same color. The bride is conducted |
to the tent by her parents, where the lover
presents her with garments and jewels, ac-
cording to his wealth. A grand entertain
ment is given, and the young women
dance all night to the sound of the instru-
ment while the spectators regulate their
motions by clapping their, hands. These
dances are not very decorous. The mar
riages among the negro tribes are con-
Quoted with but very little ceremony, ex-
cept an abundance Of pastime and dane