The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-04-28
Marriage Ceremonies in the
Different Countries of Asia.


prove satisfactory TO the woman of the
period. liz nearly ali the countries of the
East, women are reg rded as property.
ann marriage consists ct bargain be
tween the bridegroom and the parents of
tie bride. The affections Of the women
are seldom consulted they are passivey
guided by others, and accept their situa-
Ion, as useful and convenient slaves to
the stronger sex. The wedding ceremo
MES In the different countries bear d,
! general Resemblance In Birmah, mar
mage Is civil contract; the law allows
but one wife. The formalities are con
Quoted the same as in India. Relatives
agree concerning the amonntaof dowry
The bridegroom sends presents according
to ms wealth, teasts are given, and the
married couple eat from che same dish,
which IS the only time a woman is allow
"a co eat with mani In Siam the par
ents consult the daughters inclination Ia
regard to the young man " no demands
her for wife If all approve the match
oneDs are consulted, contracts signed
dowrtes paid, the priest sprinkles them
With consecrated water, and repeats
| prayers. Feasting ana dancing complete
the ceremony.
| Among the different castles OF the Hin
docs, the ceremonies vary. Some of them
require no form but the consent of the
parties. They exchange necklaces or
wreaths, the girl saying, !" | am Thy wife, y
and the bridegroom, :" 1t is true Among
the higher castles they are conducted with
great formality and pomp
La Persia, the bridegroom sends, on the
morning OF the wedding,a train Of mules,
laden with presents to the bride. The
day is spent In feasting Towards even
ing, the bride, who is always yelled,
mounted on superbly decorated mule
and accompan ed by a long train OF rela-
lives and friends, proceeds to the house
OF her destined husband, who, with a
similar procession, rides forth to meet
her. She is accompanied to the apart
ments prepared for her, and from tha
moment is a lawful wife. The festivities
usually continue for three DAYS The,
customs in Thibet are very extraordinary.
one woman is Che wife of a whole family
of brothers, be the family large or small.
1t IS custom which prevails with all
ranks, The marriage is without ceremo-
ny, mutual consent being the bond of
union. This union can only be dis olved
by the consent of all the parties, and they
are never after at liberty to form any
other connection. 1t is said that instances
of intidelity are extremely rare.
In China the bridegroom knows moth
ing of his intended wife, except what he
gathers from the friends who arrange the
prellminaries of the marriage, and deter
mine the sum to be paid for the bride
On the day of the wedding, the bride is
placed in u palanqun, the kew of which
IS sent to the bridegroom Sic is escorted
to his house, where heopeEs the palan
quin and examines his Bargain. If he is
i pleased, he conducts her INTO his dwell
ing,where the marriage is celebrated with
rejoicings; but if he is not favora b.v
impressed, he closes the palanuuin and
sends her back. In that case he is oblio-
ed to pay sum OF money equal to the
first he gave for her.
, After the Syrian lady is betrothed. she
does not see her intended husband until
the wedding ceremonies are completed
Five days before he summons her he
sends female friend, who bears to her.
jewels for her head, neck, and arms, &C.
cording to his wealth and rank. Under
the supervision of this friend the bride
is bathed, hand stained, face painted, and
, wedding robes put on. After she is
4 adorned, she is Obliged to sit in a corner
with eyes closed for whole dav; then
; she is escorted, with eyes still closed, to
the house of her husband, by his rela-
: tlves and accompanied by procession Of
women, musicians, and mules bearing the
dresses, ornaments and utensils which
j. she has received In Arabia the ceremo
> ny is performed by priest. He Joins
the hands OF the parties and reads verses
!, from the Koran, then blindfolds the bride
: The bridegroom leads her to his tent
: seats her on mat and says, You are al
: home. tie returns to the assembled
company and joins in the feasting The
bride remains blindfolded a week. durina
which time some friend performs the do
nestle duties for her.
In Armenia the priest performs the
ceremony by leading the bridegroom an6
bride, WEose head is covered with liner
vel, into the centre of the apartment
where he joins their hands and knocks
heir foreheads together. A cruciix il
swung over their heads while the priest
chants and sings. After this he ties
around the bridegroom's brow red and
white string, and asks: eff she is lame
thou acceptest her ?" If she is blind
thou acceptest herr" If she is hump
backed, thou acceptest herr To each
question he answers, 81 accept" Then
tying a string around the brow of
the bride, the priest says Chou accept
est = accept" she replies Feasting
and amusement last for three days, dur
Ing which time the bride is obliged tn
SIT silent and motjonless At the end of
that time the priest removes her veil,
takes off the string from her brow, and
she is allowed for the first tinxc TO sneak