The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-10-28
MOORISH WEDDINGS.
Peculiar Ceremonies and Extraor-
binary Appearance Of the
Bridal Party.

1t was evening when we started on
to a Moorish wedding. one of the
most interesting sights Of Morocco,
writes a correspondent of the London
Graphic. We found our way to a
low whitewashed house, which the
ladies of the party entered. The gem
tlemen had to. remain outside, as no
man is permitted to look on a Moorish
lady. We found ourselves in a short
passage leading into the patio" a
square hall round which the rooms
are built. The patio was crowded
with women squatting on the floor,
some slipping Tea or eating sweet
cakes; Others (the paid musicians)
singing in a low, nasal chant to the
accompaniment of tom-toms.
Passing through these we came into
the room where the bride sat in state.
The atmosphere was sitting. She was
surrounded by ladies and rela-
tives. many of whom held long lighted
candles. The women were smartly
attired and had their faces and eyes
highly painted. The room was long
and narrow. It's ceilings We're
painted in brilliant colors and the
whitewashed walls for about six feet
were hung with a handsome dado of
crimson velvet in panels, each panel
being a Moorish arch applique
in green broche with gold EN-
broidery. Behind white lace cur
tains at each end Of the room stood a
bed with white pillows incased in
Moorish embroidery on silk, a valance
of the sane reaching to the ground.
On one of these beds sat the bride,
tailor fashion, with a veil of checked
muslin entirely enveloping her. This
was presently raised and disclosed the
lady to our view, She was a girl OF
fourteen, aud being very fat, was con-
sidered a beauty. To be fat is con-
sidered a woman's greatest attraction.
Indeed, when nearing the marriage
able age. it is cornmo for girls to lie
for weeks covered with warm blank
cts, passing their time in doing and
feeding on a ~fattening diet of milk,
.'boos koosoo' (the native dish), oil,
peas, or a certain bean, supposed 10
be infallible as a fat producer.
Her face presented the most extra
ordinary appearances, being painted
white with a delicate pattern in pale
UluG, IollOW dll0 OletCh O1 o. UAlCC-CQI-
nered patch of crimson on each cheek
and chin. The eyebrows were lndi-
Gated by a thick line of dense black,
and from the OF the eye, which
were ~blackened, extended a fan-shaped
design i'll black to the top of the ears.
The tips of her fingers and toes were
dyea terra Gotta with henna. Aysha
(so she was called) was clad in a gor-
geous haitian of red silk and gold bro
cade, embroidered in gold and reaching
to her ankles. Her under garments
were pure colored brocade and her
waistcoat green velvet and gold.
Over the HAITIAN hung a light gauze
garment open down the front and
confined by a band of gold and silk in
many colors, Her headdress was
composed of silk handkerchiefs, PIN
ned round SO as to show a narrow
edge of each on the forehead. Above
these came a band OF black velvet
with a close design OF seed pearls.
and emeraids. Her neck was
encircled by many necklaces, prin-
cipally strings OF pearls with c
sional uncut emeralds and amethysts.
She further wore a number of rings,
and bracelets and ankletS of a costly
but clumsy description. The most re-
markable piece OF jewelry was the
earrings, which were as large as an
ordinary bracelet, the part going
through the ear being a tube OF gold
quite nalf an inch in diameter.
While we were gazing Vat her we
heard a cry in the patio, whicA was
quickly taken up by the women in
the bridal chamber. The bridal veil
was Immediately dropped and the
women assumed their helks, q long
white wooden shawl. The reason of
this commotiOn was the entrance of
Aysha's brother, a tall Moor in dark
blue cloth djellabea and white turhan.
He seated himself on the bed front OF
his sister, and the latter, putting
her arms around his neck,
was carried pickaback into the patio.
Here the women YER coLgregated
around q curious wooden box,
swathed in bridal clothes. At one
side was an opening, where the Moor
knelt. The bride climbed over his
head and into the box. Draperies
were dropped over the opening, and
Aysha, III her cage. was hoisted on a
mule at the door OF the house. The
procession then formed up, the
musicians, playing drums, leading
the way, followed by Moors carry
ing brass candelabras with colored
candles. Then came the brides box,
surrounded by twenty or thirty Riff
fans doing a wild, fantastic powder
play" with their long brass or silver
mounted guns. Then more candles
and a long array OF friends. In this
way is the bride borne to her hus-
| bands home; no matter how far 1t
may be, in the box she must
! Then the box is lifted down to the