Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-27
Welded A DESERT BRIDE.
An Interesting Account of Marriage Amo
the Wandering Bedouins.


the Wandering Bedouins.
From the London Queen.
A Bedouin wedding, which lately had the
occasion to witness, took place in Ramleh-a
seaside resort near Alexandria-where many
houses have Bedouin ghafir, who pitches his
tent near his masters house and lives there
with his family and cattle, if he has any,
The bridegroom was the son of a friends
ghafr. Previous to the ngagement the father
had obtained three days leave on the plea of
his going down to Alexandria for the choice of
daughter-iu-law. On the evening of the third
day several shots fired successfully announced
to the native Bedouins the ghafir's return and
the happy result OF his mission. The wedding
was fixed for that day week.
Groups of Bcdouins fastened to answer IN
the invitation, and, after some talking and
shouting, the men soon formed ring and he
gan clappins hands, the body keeping time to
the movements OF the hands by going upward
and downward. Now and then one of the fell
lows walled forth Bedouin song while the
others chorused. The women sat chatting be-
fore the tent and occasionally filled the air
with the shrill sound Of the ziraleet. No re-
treatment was offered and their sole eclairage
was the moon, whose silvery light gave . weird
amusement the guests retired.
Ihe next evening the firing brought forth all
the company of the preceding night. This
time the great attraction was two dancing
women, very pioturesquely dressed and their
faces covered with soft black muslin. They
entered the ring formed by the men, each Of
them holding long staf-an adjunct to the
various movements of their figures, Thew
went round and round, shaking their hins
and leaning at different intervals on their
STAINS, while the clapping Of hands redoubled
in whichever part Of the ring the women an
preached. observed young enthusiast take
handful OF sand from where one of the women
had trodden and kiss it repeatedly. noticoC
that the bridegroom was absent. and, asking
for the cause, was informed that he was too
bashful to appear. Two hours later the com
pany dispersed, to begin afresh at intervals
during the short engagement.
At last the eventful morning dawned. A
new tent had been pitched for the young couple.
full of rice and water were boiling. When the
rice was done some oil was poured over it. and
then very large wooden bowls were brought
forward to receive the contents of the caul-
drons. This formed the whole menu of the
wedding breakfast and was attended to by the
bridegrOom's mother, aided by some other ma
irons. The ghafir and the young people had
gone to fetch the bride. They had taken with
them one Of the CHAIRS camels, which thew
had gayly decorated with red and blue cloth.
the bride.
large procession was formed, headed by
horsemen and other Bedouins armed with
guns. which they fired frequently The bride.
completely hidden from sight by the curtains
OF the canopy, and followed by the women.
brought up the rear. They went all over Ram,
len, stopping before every friends tent to
dance, fire and sing. At about o'clock in the
afternoon the merry party arrived at the BRIDE
grooms place. The latter had remained at
nome. Inc father, who was holding the camel's
bride. handed it over to his wife. who led the
animal seven times around the bridal tent
each time accompanied by shots, which are the
chief feature in a Bedouin wedding. Finally
the camel stopped before the entrance OF the
tent and the bride was carried in by her
mother-in-law.
was curious to see her face, and. az was
asked to go In, gladly accepted. The tent
had two compartments, and was quite devoid
OF furniture, except some rugs and straw mat
tings, on one Of which the bride sat- surrounded
by other women. She was girl of fourteen,
with regular features, beautiful black ewes
and tattooed china most prevalent fashion
among Bedouin women. She wore long dark
red silk chemise, caught up at the waist with a
deep sash. On her head she wore a dark blue
veil, tied with red silk handkerchief. beneath
which very fine plaits Of jet black hair came
down in two bandeaux over her temples After
exchanging few complimentary words with
her, withdrew, glad to escape the sitting at
mosphere of the tent.
A sheik had been called to perform the mar.
riage contract. which took place between the
parents OF both parties. The new couple were
not present at the ceremony. The CHAIR
handed over to his sons father-in-law ESQ on
condition that, il later on the young wife
should ask to be divorced from her husband,
the money was to come back to its first owner,
and II, ON the contrary, the husband claimed .
separation the sum would remain with his
| father-in-law.
During that time the guests had sat over
their iruga! meal, Of which they partook in
groups CT four or FIVE persons aronnd each
wooden bowl Their fingers spared them
the use OF forks and spoons. While thew were
still occupied with their repast the bridegroom
stole to the nuptial tent. where he saw his wife
Ioi tne nrst time. Half an hour afterward the
noisy party broke up and quiet reigned.