The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-18
HOW MooRs ARE WED.
Peculiar Ceremonies Attending the
Celebration of ! Wedding in Morocco.
Their Idea of Beauty.

Peculiar Ceremonies Attending the
Celebration of Wedding in Morocco.
Their Idea of Beauty.
From the London Graphic.
1t was evening when we started of to a
Moorish wedding, one of the most interest,"
ing sights OF Morocco. We found our way
to low, whitswashed house, which the
ladies of the party entered. The gentlemen
had to remain outside. as no man is permit
ted to LOOK on a Moorish lady. We found
ourselves in u short passage leading into the
"patio," a square hall round which the rooms
are built.
The patio was crowded with women squat
ting on the floor, some slipping tea and eat
ing sweet-cakes; others (the paid mdsicians)
sang in a low, nasal chant to the accompani-
ment of tom-toms.
Passing through these we came into the
room where the brides sat in stats. The
atmosphere was sitting. She was sur
rounded by lady friends and relatives, many
or whom held long lighted candles The
women were smartly attired and had their
faces and eyes highly painted.
The room was long and narrow. Its ceiling
was painted ia brilliant colors and the white
washed walls for about six feet were hung
with handsome dado Of crimson velvet in
panels, each panel being a Moorish arch ap-
plique in green broche with gold embroid-
cry. Behind white lace curtains at each end
of the room stood bed win pillows in
cased In Moorish embroidery on silk, a va
lance Of the same reaching to the ground.
On one of these beds sat the bride, tailor
fashion, with veil of checked muslin en-
tirely envsloping her This was presently
raised and disclosed the lady to our view.
She was a girl of IA, and being very fat was
considered a beauty. To be fat is consid-
cred a women's greatest attraction.
Indeed, when nearing merriageable age,
it is common for girls to lie for weeks COW
cred with warm blankets, passing their time
in doing and feeding on tue fattening diet
of milk, "boose koosoo (the native dishl, oil,
peas or a certain bean, supposed to be in
fallible as fat producer.
Her face presented the most extraordi-
nary appearance, being painted white with
a delicate pattern in pale blue, yellow and
black on three-cornered patton of crimson
on each cheek and chin. The eyebrows were
indicated by a thick line of dense black, and
from the corners of the eyes. which were
blackened, extended fan-shaped design in
black to the top of the ears.
The tips of her fingers and toes were dyed
terra Gotta with henua. Ayesha $50 she was
called was clad in q gorgeous kaftan of red
silk and gold brocade. embroidered in gold,
and reaching to her ankles. Her undergar-
ments were pure-colored brocade, and her
waistcoat green velvet and gold. Over the
kaftau hung light gauze garment, open
down the froat, and confined by band of
gold and silk in many colors.
Her headdress was composed of silk hand
kerchIefs, pinned round so as to show mar
row edge of each on the forehead. Above
these came band Of black velvet with a
close design of seed pearls and emeralds.
Her neck was encircled by many necklaces,
principally strings OF amethysts.
She further wore number OF rings and
bracelets and anklets of a costly but clumsy
description. The Inost remarkable piece OF
iewelry was the earrings, which were as large
as ordinary bracelet, the partgoing through
the ear, being tube of gold quite half an
fnoh In diaInetsf..st The girts accustom their
ears TO this by pressing date stones through
the hole. lad
At the front of the earrings was an or
nament Of gold filagree and precious stones,
to which was attached gold chain fast
ened by brooca to the headdress. Her
outfit was completed by pair OF velvet
and-gold slippers,
While we were gazing at her we heard
cry in the patio, which was quickly taken
up by the women in the bridal chamber.
The nridal veil was Immediately dropped
and the women assumed their helks. long
white wooden shawl. Their reason of this
commotion was the entrance OF Ayesna's
brother, a tall Moor in dark-blue cloth del
Iaba and white turban.
He seated himself on the bed in front OF
his sister, and the latter, putting her arms
around his neck, was carried plckaback into
the patio. =,
Here the women were congregated around
a curious wooden box, swathed in bridal
clothes.
At one side was an opening, where the
Moor xnelt. The bride climbed over his
head and into the box.
Draperies were dropped over the opening.
and Ayesha, in her cage, was holsted on
mule at the door of the house. The process
sion then formed mp, musicians, playing
drums leading the way, followed by Moors
carving brass candelabras with colored
candles. Then came the brides box, sur
rounded by twenty or thirty Riftians doing
wild fantastic "powder play" with their
long brass or silver-mounted guns.