River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1874-05-15
HYMENEAL.
Curious Marriage Ceremonies in TOorISis-


The Toorkoman girls do not become
manageable till the age of sixteen or
seventeen years Up to that time the
parents endeayor 10 relieve their daugh-
ters from excessive labor in order to
preserve their freshness and beauty,
thanks to which they will be in posi-
ion TO demand from the future bride
groom the highest price the latter is in
a position to give for bride. Aud as,
in this nomad race, the women do not
cover their faces, it is not difficult to
choose bride from among them.
Having made his selection, the Toorko-
man lntrusts 10 a kinswoman or friend
Of the bride the task of proposing in
his name to her parents, and settling
the price.
For well made, handsome, and
healthy girl, they pay usually from one
hundred to one hundred and sixty
tOWdRS from one hundred and eighty
six 60 two hundred and seventy eight
pounds > for an ordinary girl they pay
from sixty to eighty tomans; for one
who squints, or is deaf, or dumb, or dis
figured by smallpox, they do not pay
more than fifteen or twenty tomans.
The same prices are given for handsome
female slaves The children of the
latter are not recognized rs on the
same footing with the children Of the
same father and free woman, and, in
the distribution of the inheritance they
receive a lesser portion.
After the conclusion of the contract
by the mediators, and the acceptance
of The terms by both parties, u moiiuh
IS summoned, who compOscs a written
contract, and selects a propitious day
for the marriage ceremonies. The
Bridegroom sends the bride certain
presents. among which sheep for the
welding feast are always found. On
the day of the wedding the tent of the
bride is decked with all the available
calpets, bags, silk rags, feathers, etc,
IN the place. The bride Is generally
brought away at midday if the bride
groom is not in position to spend
much on the wedding, he brings his
BRIDE home at night, and then the we'd
ding takes place without guests.
The bridegroom's mother, sisters,
female relations, and other friends,
adorned with all their available treas
ures. and with all their heads attired
for the occasion differently from the
usual manner, collect and adorn three
on four camels with carpets and varic-
gated pieces Of silk These stuifs,
sewed together, cover the head and
neck of the animal, and are fastened to
the saddle; and thus the procession
proceeds for the bride to tho tent OF
tue parents.
The mcu now divide into two groups;
one proceeds ON foot, as an escort
10 the women; the other, armed as if
Tor foray, proceed in front of the
bridal train. AZ short distance from
the brides tent they spur up their
horses, discharge, at full speed. guns
and pistols, aud perform various oyolu-
lions. They then enter the tent, and
there, after a conversation of about an
hours length, sort of strife IS entered
into between the relations and friends
of the bride and those who have come
90 remove her from the patenal roof.
The bride generally loigns To refuse to
quit her relitiyes, and, when they sue
cecd IN taking her from the tent, they
place her on carpet spread IN front
ul the tent by those men who had
marched on foot ia the procession.
After this. having seized on the ends of
the carpet, these men hasten To the
spot where the camcls were left stand
ing The horsemcu cover their flight,
firing into the brides party, who fellow
the men with the carpet. and hurl Clods
of earth az them, the tugitivca. obliged
10 cover their heads with wet clothes.
sometimes let - the carpet. or STUN
bile ON some inequality of ground. and
fall ON the top of the other.
Having reached tine spot where the
eamels stand. the pcrsuit ceases.
They cause the bride to emerge from
the carpet the women arrange her
dress. and cover her head aud face
with a veil, leaving open only the
eyes and nose. Placed ia front, among
the nearest relations of the bridegroom,
the young girl proceeds at the head OF
the corhg,. She keeps herself erect
and looks straight before her; when
passing ueur the tents. the women
around the bride slightly raise her veil.
in order tu display her to the curious
just before reaching the bridal tent,
the hurscmen ride forward and COM
mcucc firing. uttering piercing cries.
The road is throngrd with people who
salute the br.de with dcafgumg hurrnhs:
and, no the moment when she prepares
10 cross the threshold Of the bridal