The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-06-01
4 Kanlr Wedillng.

General Cunynghame writes In his work on
South Africa: went to see the marriage OF
the Chief Faku, with the daughter OF another
chief from the Kip river district. Faku y q
chief who did right good service during the
rebellion, and he Is liked well. was glad OF
an opportunity Of paying some mark OF re-
spect went. as an untnvited guest, and vas
right Hospitality received. Well, Sir, before
this was always under the impression that
Kaffir marriage was sort of bargain and
sale, hop-the-brOomstick affair. 80 many cows
paid, and the woman handed over to the ht1s-
band In the presence OF the official witness;
but was much surprised to find 1t quite
different affair and one Of much ceremony. In
civilized society the gentleman usually settles
himself and q dover on the lady, but here the
dover Is given to the father, and he brings the
Proceedings open by wild sort o. dance,
which announces the approach Of the bride;
| in the meantime she and her bridesmaids
were said to be washing and decorating them
the brides party advanced, and was received
| by the husband and his people sitting
down, @ space being left OF about TWEEN
ty PAGES between them, All guests
were on the husbands right hand, ne
and they being surrounded by the. husband
e-men, women and children--in sort Of
half-circIe. The Ounces and songs open with
the men on the brides side, and after the
dance the men deposit their shields one on the
other In the centre OF the space, the brides
fathers shield, as chief, being placed on the
| top. The bridesmaids' dance and song then
/ begins, the bride herself being still kept in
the background. When this ID over the bride
suddenly appears In the centre OF the BRIDES
maids with her face yelled. knife in her
| right hand and a small shield In her left The
dance and song Of the bridesmaidsb begin again,
| all grandly advancing to the shields, and
then stop. The husband calls to the bride to
come to him, and she turns her back to him
and dances with the rest back again; then
| again the men dance and sing. Several OF the
elders and wives OF the brides party run up
/ in front OF the husband and chaff him, tell
him he Is mo 60" and not good enough for
i the girl. The mems dance then ceases, and
the bridesmaids begin again. This time the
eyes seen, and she advances beyond the
shields. Indiana, on the brides side, sits
down In q peculiar manner, indicating that
the husband must give her plenty Of milk,
and so the dance goes on until she comes up
to the husband. He speaks to her; she turns
her back to him; he asks her lovingly to give
him her hand; she does so, and as she does
SO she looks over her shoulder at him.
She gave him one look, but that look was a
comes up unveiled. He asks her If she will
be his wife. She says Eyes" She is then
asked by the official witness If she Is willing
| to be his wife, and to come and live with him,
and she says 'Yes.'' Other dances and eere-
monies follow, but. as it was close to sun
doWn had to saddle and leave. As far as
Icouid see there was no restraint In the mat
ter; on the contrary, from the look, rather a
liking OF the bride for the bridegroom. Ev-
there was for the guests, but no drunkenness.
The bride was one OF the finest women have
| ever seen tn South Africa Elk feet high, well
| formed and very pretty.