The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1882-03-23
A Turkish Wedding Reception.


to be ten O clock Turkish, which is about
three o'clock in the afternoon, a la Frank.
Turkish time is reckoned by the sun, and
Is always problem to people keeping
Frank time; and the Turks, to be exact,
must have their watches changed every
day.
We were party of eight-all ladies';
no gentlemen must be seen in the harena-
lik, though this reception was at the
house of the bridegroom. The sons take
their brides to the fathers house, and if
it becomes crowded additional rooms are
built. ~
We found the gates of the outer wall
thrown wide open. A man servant stood
inside to see that all left the overshoes
in the court. To those of us who had
not worn shoes that could be removed he
made deprecatory salaam, as if to say:
"Your pardon, ma am," and wiped our
shoes with q. damp sponge. Chow much
time and patience-yes, and money-our
housewives would be saved if like
cleanlYcustom existed in America, for I
fancy this is one secret of the Turkish
carpets lasting for generations; that no
dirt from the streets is ever brought in on
to them)
We were then motioned to go up the
stairs and were first taken to the mother
of the bridegroom, who was seated on
high divan, and received us with many
salaams, but did not rise. She had
quilted sacque, of delicate lemon-colored
satin, lined and trimmed with fur, thrown
over her shoulders (the morning had
been rainy and it was still cool, } and her
other garments were made of rich Orien-
tai stuffs; her head handkerchief was
plain, but decorated in front with dia-
monds.
A young lady dressed in drab silk,
made in the latest Partisan fashion, with
feathers and diamond ornaments in her
hair, received us standing, asked us to
be seated and ordered coffee to be brought
to us. We sat upon low divans which
were built next to the walls of the room,
and are piled with cushions covered with
beautiful embroidery in silk and gold
thread. The coffee was brought by three
servants, one bearing the silver tray with
the tiny china cups and zarfs (holders)
OF fiEgree silver, set with gems; another
the coffee-pot, which was silver, and was
carried in an elaborate dish hung by long
silver chains, resembling an incense
burner, and the third handed us the cups.
After time sweatmeats'' were
brought and served with great elegance.
The water was in gold goblets, the
spoonholders of Bohemian glass, set in
silver frames, and the jars for the
sweets" equally rich and elegant. But
partaking of the tall is not easy if not to
the manner born" l had fortunately
had previous lessons and could do it
native fashion. A goblet of water is pro-
vided for each guest; two spoonholders,
one for the spoons before they are used
and one for soiled spoons. You take
spoon. fill it with tall (Which is always
something very sweet and delicious,
either made of oranges, citron, currants,
with the seeds all picked out with nee
die, rose petals, or what is most delicious.
sugar paste favored with flowers, vio-
lets, acacia, lavender, etc.), take it all
into the mouth, place the spoon in the
proper holder, take glass of water and
drink until the tall is entirely washed
down the throat. This must be done as
speedily as possible, however much you
may wish to have the sweetness long
drawn out"
We remained in this room some time.
those who knew Turkish, carrying on
the conversation. The elderly ladies
seemed to be assembled here. MANY of
them were dressed in broosa gauzes and
silks, made in quaint, simple fashion.
but wearing rich jewels-one wore the
handsomest emerald ring I have ever
seen. While the visiting was at it's
height lady spread her prayer carpet
In corner of the room, with her face
toward Mecca, threw light shawl over
her head, and went through with her de-
votions, often bowling her head to the
foor No one seemed to mind it at all.
and when she arose she Immediately
joined again in the conversation.
From this room we were conducted
to the room where the bride was to sit
in state. ~
AT one end of the room was very
nigh divan, so high as to require step
to climb on to it, covered with satin If
bright colors, and over it were branches
OF artificial flowers and tinsel ornaments.
forming quite canopy. The room was
handsomely urnished-chairs and sofas
covered with damask silk, window dra-
perles OF the same material and Garnet
to match in color. The ceiling was
beautifully frescoed in arabesque pat
terms. The seats were gradually filled
with elegantly dressed ladies-silks and
satins with long trains, feathers and
diamond ornaments in the hair. One
dress of lemon-colored satin elaboratelv
trimmed with white lace and estooned
with flowers, was especially rich and
beautiful.
The bride was led in by two elderly
women very simply dressed except for |
the diamonds flashing on their turbans. |
and followed by little girl bearing her
train. She walked very deliberately
through the long room and climbed to
her place under the canopy of flowers. |
The women took seats on either side of
her ard the little girl took a seat on the
step in front Of the divan.
The dress Of the bride was of blue silk
covered with embroidery in gold thread
and seed pearls. The veil was blue
gauze. to match the dress, and fell to
the floor; over this was gold tinsel in fine
threads, hanging in masses as long as