The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-01-03
Marriage Etiquette in Mexico
From the Two RepnbIies.l

rom an unknown correspondent:
Mexico, Nov. IA few weeks ago l
cad with much pleasure an article written
" Papillon aud published in the Two Re
oublies regarding the way love-making Is
carried on here in Mexico, and ! derived
much useful information from it as to the
way one has TO hacer el oso or do the bear,
in order to make an impression on the
hearts OF the beautiful Mexican ladies.
take the liberty of writing These. lines to
beg Papillon to give me some information
az to how marriages and weddings are
a ranged in this country, and at the same
time present my excuses and thanks to
the intelligent writcr.-A Reader OF the
Two Republics.
The Information that our correspondent
desires, is not of very great interest, as
marriages are arranged here much In the
came way as they are in Europe and the
United States.
The gentleman sometimes manages 70
oct introduced into the family, and Is
acknowledged as the "novio" Of the young
lady by the father and mother, even before
! there is any formal engagement, but 1t Is
rather difficult to visit with asiduity a
Mexican house until after the engagement,
and even then the visits are paid In pres
euce of the entire family.
II is generally person Of influence who,
acts as ambassador in asking the hand Oh
the Young lady. Engagements are OF long
duration in Mexico and very often come
to nothing.
First the civil marriage takes place
which is followed by breakfast dinner or
, ball at the house OF the "novia" and lew
DAYS afterwards the religious ceremony Isl
! nerformed TO which great number of per-
: sons are invited and at which the ladies
, attend dressed entirely in black With q
handsome silk, satin or velvet toilet. and
/ black lace mantilla. To dress in black
4 at a wedding in another country would be
: considered bad omen, but there 1T IS de
! rieenr." There are no trademarks mere,
: only one "madrina," who may be married
i or single but who is generally married,
> and "padrino."
+ The number of Witnesses requiEel is
. three, and the bride is given away a. IN
s the United States. In Mexico the regular
a white wedding dress, with orange tlowe's Is
a ALWAYS worn and the bridegroom has to
n provide it as also number OF other hand
l. some dresses, Jewels, etc. Immediately
a after the ceremony, the newly married
Il couple go to a photograph gallery ana
e have their portraits taken in their brlal
n attire. Marriages take place here wry
le early in the morning and always III churh,
g as it is not permitted to perform the NIP
le tial ceremony in the house.
oil A breakfast is given by the family OF he
re bride and afterwards the bride and bride
r, groom leave for some estate or for Their
Id house, which is prepared some time before.
g. The trouaseau is sometimes provided
D. entirely by the bridegroom, but generally
ge the family give the underclothes and som
IN of the simple dresses.
-, INDIAN BRIDAL CEREMONIES.
I'M There is more originality in the way tn
at Indians marry.
IN They have the privilege Of contractin
es marriage no matter what relation the
bear to each other with the exception {
that Of father and daughter and brothe
he and sister. The ecclesiastical dispensatio
ro- was granted to them on account of the stat
MA of ignorance in which they live.
The parish priest is always commissions
to ask the brides hand, and they MARI
exceedingly young.
There is slight variation in the maj
ner in which Indian marriages are cell
brated in the different States; the custol
III observed in the State OF Qaxaca appears
:, us to be very interesting, There the frient
INC u OF the bridegroom on hearing of h
nd approaching wedding, undertake to buil
ers and furnish his house, leaving in it a stoC
arS, OF provisions. One man cuts trees dow
md and prepares other things necessary to co
EN- struct the hut or sort OF rude cottage
the which the couple are to live; another pr
Z in vides the modest furniture, another Il
ode kitchen utensils, while others send t
ent poultry maize, sugar, dried meats al
led other provisions that are slowed away
hen it.
her They all attend the ceremony in t
and church dressed in their very best. Aftt
,ere wards the newly married people repair
ana the house either of the brides family
~ OF the bridegroom, and then the friends go
w work to arrange things for their receptiC
aa,. They select square piece of ground
way which no hut had ever been built, and I
men and women collect together and
nv hard to work. The men erect the SIN
nee house with wood and reeds cemented w
mud matching the roof and diyidi
cas- the hut into two rooms, one where the
habitants are to sleep and the other viii
us answers the purpose ofkitchen, parlor, d
mex ning-room and store-house. They a
'ueu arrange SORT OF ulmlnutlNe Saru
walk planting vegetables in it.
ant When the men do the harder work,
re- women place everything in order in
lusi- interior of the house; then they make q
lkey tillas," "tamales" and 'totol MOLE" /
or az OF green "mole" which is always eaten
non the Indians on the occasion of weddi
q he When everything is ready and the s
ned per on the table, then they all go
,doJ the house where the newly married cou
- T is waiting for them and conduct the bl
~ - and bridegroom to their new no
.i.Gi1 The procession is accompanied by
i've: rustic orchestra that continues pl
'aliS ing until an advanced hour in
m me night The friends partake of the !
luie9 per and make merry, taking leave of
'tood bride and bridegroom at a late hour, W
wall at last they remain alone in their CONT
able, although rather damp dwelling
the mud has not had time to dry wi
sad they find everything they require, am
had other things, large store Of provisions
ailor In Oaxaca an Indian begins married
le is in very economical way, but when
had friends enter into wedlock he has to q
ltiur them as they assisted him.
41,,t