, 1879-07-20
A. KAFFIR WEDDING.
How tho Natives of South Africa Oondua
Marriage Ceremonies.

How tho Natives of South Africa Conduct
Marriage Ceremonies.
Mrs. Hutchinson, the authoress OF new
work entitled sIn Tents in the Transvaal," was
present at q Katlir marriage, and twas sur
prised to. see what really pleasing: s>faces
many. ot the women: had. and .-how.n ntastetully
their rather meagre toilets we're arranged"
Their toilets were indeed 'smeagre," but she
adds that 1.-THE modesty and Inconsistencies
with which they we're worn could not hare
been surpassed BY that Of the most. artless
white-frocked debutante that ever blushed in
in drawing-room at home" Mrs. Hutchinson
continues: 49,
"The wedding was at kraal about two miles
from the camp. Shall I ever forget that drive,
Is We jolted over stones and .'shaved aunt-hils,
and bumped in aud out Of holes, the mules all
the time going at full ga1lop, till we really ex-
pected that the cart would turn over with us
every momenta -.
vas we approached the kraal our cars we're
greeted By. the shrieks. yells and howls Of the
wedding party; and, on surmountfug ridge OF
ground, ne came upon n .s2n COMPANY all % IN 'lull
wore large plumes Of black feathers, which
covered their heads aud hung down
over their shoulders They had
shields covered with cow-hido, and
carried sticks, which they waved and brandisned
in q very warlike manner. They we're contlnu-
ally in motion, stamping, gruntlng, and shout,
lug, and at last fell into kind OF procession
which moved on toward the Eraal, dancing all
the way. Every now and then some warrior,
more than usually excited, would burst from
the ranks, aud bound, with high-stepping
action. several yards iu advance He would
then stop, and. with queer antics aud 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 bT an excited rival,
eager to equal il not to outdo him. The two
sisters OF the bride, elegantly atttred in
companied this ioyial crew, shrieking and racing
about as it possessed. The father Of the bride
was there, too, dlstinguishable from the other
braves BY the extra length Of his tail
Of his head and reached all down his back.
AS. this interesting company proceed
cd. they were met by women In pairs,
all dressed {D alike in the same charming SIM
plicity, who ran to meet them, screaming At the
top Of their voices, and making most peculiaE,
more OF 'nefghing' than ANYTHING else
Thess fell into the ranks, as did large COM
pany OF young girls and children, who
al rushed to meet the .proees~
and appearing 70 be quite mad with excitement
The whole body then advanced at majestic
sort OF pace, ail taking ode step forward at the
same moment. raising their shields, giving a
stamp and yell, AIid 80 on ILL tneY got 70
sort Of battle-ground in front Of the kraal,
where they drew up in line two Or three
deep. and continued the stamping and
shouting, waving Of arms, positioning, and all
the other maueuyres, accompanying themselves
BY song, which consisted in the perpetual re-
iteration Of three notes in minor key. have
ascertained that this tnue is the same which is
used By them on all similar occa-
sions. The bride, surrounded by
whole bevy of sisters and sympathizng
friends, knclt on the mt facing the
dancers, and held shield and knife in her hand
Her dress consisted of bends arranged with
great taste, and her hair was elaborately got up
with brass wire and palm oil OF the period. But
what entertained us the most WAS the blase,
contemptuous expression Of her countenance,
which was evidently the highest mode for Kaffir
brides to assume.''