Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-10-17
How the Natives of South Africa
Conduct Marriage Ceremonies.

Mrs. Hutchinson, the authoress, was
present at Caffre marriage, and was
surprised to see what really pleasing
faces many Of the women had, and how
tastefully their really meaere toilets
we're arranged" Their toilets were,
indeed meagre," but she adds that
"the modesty and inconsistencies with
which they were worn could not have
been surpassed by that of the most art
less white. frocked debutante that ever
blushed in drawing-room at home"
Mrs. Hutchinson continues, "The
wedding was at q kraal about two miles
from the camp. Shall 1 ever forget
that drive, as we jolted over stones and
shaved ant hills, and bumped in and
out of holes, the mules all the time 60
ing at full gallop, till we really ex-
pected that the cart would turn over
with us every moment.
CAS- we approached the kraal our
ears were greeted by the shrieks, yells
and howls of the wedding party, and
on surrounding ridge OF ground we
came upon company all in full rig
practicing one of their dances. The
men wore large plumes of black feath-
ers, which covered their heads and hung
down over their shoulders. They had
shields covered with cowhide, and car
ried sticks, which they waved and
brandished in very warlike manner.
They were continually in motion,
stamping, grunting and shouting, and
at last fell into a kind of procession,
which moved on toward the kraal,
dancing all the way. Every now and
then some warrior, more than usually
excited, would burst from the ranks
and bound, with housekeeping ac-
ti4r, several yards in advance. lie
would then stop, and with queer antics
and strange gyrations, would go through
the motions OF killing his antagonist,
continuing them amidst the plaudits of
his companions till they caught him
up, when he would fall in, only to be
succeeded by an excited rival, eager to
equal if not to Guido him.
The two sisters of the bride, ele-
gantly attired in few rows of green,
white and pink beads, accompanied
this jovial crew, shrieking and racing
about as if possessed. The father OF
the bride was there, too, distinguishable
from the other braves by the extra
length of his tail feathers, which hung
from the top of his head aud reached
all down his back. AS this interesting
company proceeded, they were met by
women i'll pairs, all dressed (?) alike in
the same alarming simplicity, who ran
to meet them, screaming ut the top of
their voices, and making most pecu-
liar, tremulous shrill noise, which re.
minded me more of neighing than
anything else. These fell into the
ronks, rs did large company of young
girls and children, who all rushed to
meet the procession, yelling as loud rs
they could, and appearing to be quite
mad with excitement. The whole body
then advanced at a majestic sort of
pace, all taking one step forward at the
same moment, raising their shields,
giving stamp and a yell, and so on
till they got to a sort of parade ground |
in front of the kraal, where they drew
uN1n line two or three deep, and con-
tinued the stamping and shouting,
waving of arms. positioning, and all
other manBuvres, accompanying them
selves with song, which consisted in |
the perpetual reiteration of three notes |
in minor key. have ascertained |
that this tune is the same which is used |
by them on all similar occasions.
The bride, surrounded by q whole !
bevy of sisters and sympathizing
friends, knelt on the mat facing the |
dancers, and held shield md knife |
in her hand. Her dress consisted of
beads arranged with great taste, and her
hair was deliberately got up with the
brass wire and palm oil of the period.
But what entertained us most was the |
blaSe, contemptuous expression Of her
countenance, which was evidently the
highest mode for Caffre brides to as.