The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1884-10-15
Marriages in Persia.

The Persians are restricted to four
legitimate wives, but the number of in
mates of their harems is only limited by
their means or desires, who may be
secured by marriage, purchase or hire.
The parties are often betrothed in in
fancy, though they never see each other
till they stand before the priest then the
woman has right to refuse, but this
privilege Is little better than name.
The nuptial ceremony must be witnessed
by two men ; and the contract, regularly
attested by legal officer. is given to the
lady. who preserves it carefully, for it is
the deed by which she becomes entitled
to her dover. The period of feasting oc-
cupies from three to forty DAYS, accord
ing to rank. On the first the company
assemblies; on the second the brides
hands are stained with henna; on the
third the ceremony takes place. AS a
Persian has seldom an opportunity to
choose wife by sight, he employs some
woman to select suitable partner. The
choice being made, he sends a formal pro-
posal, together with present of sweet
meats to the lady. This accepted, he
offers an assortment of fine clothes, shawls,
handkerchief, bedding, glass and china
ware, bathing and cooking apparatus,
henna for her hands-a complete domes-
tic outfit, which, it is understood, the
brides family will double and return to
the future husband. A day is then fixed
upon for taking home the bride, when
the invited guests assemble-the gentle
men at the bridegroom's, the ladies at
the brides home. AS soon as it is dark
the bridegroom's party proceed after the
bride, who is wrapped in a shawl pro-
vlded by the husband, and the cavalcade
proceeds. At intervals on the road,
bridges are made in the following man
ner for her to step over: Gentlemen of
the groom's party are called upon by
name, and must place themselves on their
hands and knees on the ground before
her horse, which excites much mirth. In
this way they proceed with fddling,
drums beating, tamborines playing and
lanterns fourishing, till they meet the
bridegroom, who comes to a certain dis
lance in advance. As soon as he sees the
lady he throws an orange or some other
fruit at her with force, and off he goes
toward his house This is the signal for
a general scamper after him, and who
ever can catch him is entitled to his horse
and clothes. When the bride arrives, a
man of either party seizes her to carry
her IN. Should this be done by one of
the bridegroom attendants, it is an omen
of his maintaining IN future due author
ity over his wife; but should one of her
friends succeed, it is an evidence that she
will keep her own side of the house."
Another effort to ensure his supremacy
is made by the groom to take a station
over the portal that she may pass under
his feet, and thereby become subject to
him; but if discovered he is pelted from
his post
When at length she has passed into the
reception-room, the husband makes his
appearance, and looking-glass is held
up so as to reflect the face of his bride,
whom he now sees for the first time I'm.
vailed. After this, he takes bit of sugar
candy, and, biting it in two halves, eats
one himself and presents the other to her.
He then takes her stockings, throws one
over his right shoulder and places the
other under his right foot. The festivi-
ties are kept up some time longer and
generally with great expense These
are the customs attending Persian mar
rlages in middle life, and are varied by
the circumstances or conditions of the
contracting parties.