The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1888-07-14


the consummation. The little Towkanl
are betrothed at an early age, and wher
that takes place two strips are torn from
a roll Of bright-colored cloth, and these
the affianced pair wear afterwards a
armlets or garters. So much Importance
is attached to this engagement ring
that should either of the young people
lose or be deprived of it, it is necessary
to empanel a jury of elders. who inquire
into the circumstances, and if there is
nothing to justify an annulling of the
contract, another piece from the original
roll is substituted. In addition to this
the betrothed ones wear each q necklace
of shells or beads, to which one is added
each year, that correct count may be kept
of their arriving at manageable age.
As the happy day approaches the prepa-
rations are made. There is only one
wedding ring'' IN Towka, and that is
situated in the center of the village. 1t
is not composed of gold, but of Jumps
of stone, and it is perhaps hundred
yards in circumference, and in the mid
die is erected a conical- shaped hut, be-
fore the aperture to which is hung a mat
Of palm bark. On the marriage morn
the bridegroom, accompanied by his
father and other male relatives, makes
his way to the hut, where the bride is at
present, in charge Of the matrons of the
tribe. The ardent young fellow bas made
himself as smart as his circumstances
will permit, and he carries large bun
die. This he Sets down near the hut, at
the door of which his father knocks. 1t
is opened first few inches, but before
the old gentleman can state his business
it is rudely shut in his face, and, without
remonstrance, he retires. Another-the
bridegroom's uncle, maybe--next tries
his luck, with no better success. Then
the young man unties his bundle, which
contains presents for the bride, and the
father, tapping again, hands in some at
tractive-iooking article. THIS is not re-
fused, and he delivers another, and still
another present, until the women folk
within are so busy examining the fnery
that they forget their Jealous guard of the
door and leave it open. This is the bride
grooms opportunity. He dashes in, seiz-
ing on his beloved one-who, of course,
is not unwilling, clasps her in his arms
and bears her off. But he has to be quick.
Burdened as he is, he has to make for the
wedding ring" and the old women,
swarming out of the hut, are after him
screaming and threatening. If they catch
him and compel him to relinquish his
precious load, all that has gone before is
as naught. He forfeits his presents, and
the preliminaries have to be gone through
all over again. Once within the magic
circle, however, the head man himself
dare not molest him. Then commences
the merry making, of which wine-bib
bjng is the most conspicuous feature, and
in the arrangements for which. the Tow
kans show themselves much superior to
the puny efforts Of civilization in the
same direction. Bottles or bowls do not
satisfy this noble savage of Central Amer
ica when he wishes to do honor to u
friends espousal he must have boatful
of the inspiring beverage. A canoe is
brought to the edge of the wedding ring
and filed with palm wine thickened with
honey and crushed plaintain, in which
sufficient number of calabashes are set
floating. To the invigorating strains of
muslc-the instruments consisting OF a
sort of pickle jar with drumhead, and
whistles made out of bamboo-the friends
and relations of the newly welded pair
(who contemplate the exciting scene from
the before mentioned but in the midde)
join hands and indulge in dance and frolic
round the mighty wine beaker, dipping
in the calabashes and tipping without
stint until it is emptied. The fun gener-
ally lasts until it is dark, and then, with
torches made of pine splints, the company
enter the ring and dance round the hut,
and, at q signal, commence to pull 1t
down about the ears of the young couple
within. On this the happy husband
shoulders his wife, and, amidst much hal
looing and mirth, bears her home.
In his volume, "Ten Years in Ethio-
pia, MIR. Hutchinson makes US acquainted
with the ceremony Of matrimony as OBJ
served at Fernando Po. A Crown Prin-
cess, the daughter of King 1ssapoo, was
about to make y connubial contract with
an eligible swain, while the European
gentleman above mentioned was in the
ncighborhood, and he was invited to be
present at the great event. He was intro
duced to the bridegroom while that su-
premely happy individual was being
dressed for the occasion by his mother
in law in prospective. She had adorned
his ebony body and arms with protu-
sion Of "Tshibbu" strings, and then pro-
ceeded to plaster him with putty like
paste made from tola, he meanwhile bold
ing in one hand and contemplating with
a steadfast gaze kidney shaped piece OF
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