The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-14
A DESERT BRIDE.
Description Of a Marriage Among Wandering
BedOUiHS.

A Bedouin wedding. which l lately had
the occasion to witness, took place in Ram
leh-a seaside resort near Alexandria.
The bridegroom was the son OF friends
ghafir. Previous to the engage ment the
father had obtained three days leave on the
plea of his going down to Alexandria for
the choice of a daughter-In-law. On the
evening of the third day several shots fired
successfully announced to the native Be-
douinS the CHAIRS return and the happy re-
suit of his mission. The wedding was fixed
for that day week.
Groups Of Bedouns fastened to answer
to the invitation, and after some talking and
shouting the men soon formed a ring and
began clapping hands, the body keeping
time to the movements Of the hands by
going forward and downward. Now and
then one of the fellows walled forth a
BedOuin song. while the others chornsed.
The women sat chatting before the tent and
occasionally filled the air with the shrill
sound of the Ziraleet. No Tefreshment was
offered, and their sole eclairage was the
moon, whose silvery light gave a weird
aspect to the whole scene. After an hours
amusement the guests retired.
The next evening the firing brought forth
all the company Of the preceding night.
This time the great attraction was two
dancing women. very pictureSqHely 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. They went round and
round, shaking their hips and leaning at
different intervals on their stats, while the
clapping of hands redoubled in whichever
part OF the ring the Women approaches. /
observed young enthusiast take handful
OF sand from where one OF the women had
trodden and kiss it repeatedly. / noticed
that the bridegroom was absent, and ask
ing for the cause, was informed that he was
too baShful to appear. Two hours later the
company dispersed, to begin afresh at inter-
walls during the short engagement
At last the eyeptful morning dawred. A
new tent had been pitched for the young
couple, while in that Of the old ones several
calQrOnS tutl OF rice ana water were boil
ing When the rice was done some ell was
poured over II, ana then very large wooden
bowls were brought forward to receive the
contents of the ealdTonS. This formed the
whole menu OF the wedding breakfast, and
was attended to by the bridegroom'S
mother, aided by same other matron. The
CHAIR and the young people had gone to
fetch the bride. They had taken with them
one OF the CHAIRS eamels, which they had
gayiy decorated with red and blue cloth
and erected a canopy On Its back to receive
the bride
A large procession was formed. headed bv
hOrSemen AID 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 Ramleh, stopping before every
friends tent TO dance, fiie and sing. At
about o'clock IN the afternoon the merry
party arrived at the brdegr0oms place,
The latter had remained at home. Tne
father, who was holding The camePs bride,
handed it over to his wife, who led the ami
mai seven times around the bridal tent,
each time accompanied by shots.
Finally the camel stopped before the en-
trance OF the tent. and the bride was carried
by her mOther-in- law.
l was curious TO see her face. and, as |
was asked to go in, gladly accepted. The
tent had two compartments, and was quite
devoid Of furniture, except some rugs
and straw mat things, on enc of which the
bride sat, surrounded by other women. She
was girl of IA, with regular features, beau
fiful black eyes and tattOOed china most
prevalent fashion among Bed0uin women.
She wore long, dark red silk chemise,
caught up at the waist with deep sash. On
her head she wore dark blue veil, tied
with a red silk handkerchief, beneath which
very fine plaiTs of jet black hair came down
in two bandeauX over her TEMPLES After
exchanging q few complimentary words
with her | withdrew, glad to escape the
sitting atmosphere of the tent
A sheik had been called to perform the
marriage contract, which took place be-
tween the parents OF both parties The new
couple were not present at the ceremony.
The CHAIR handed over to his sons father
in-law $50 on condition that if later ON the
young wife should ask to be divorced from
her husband, the money was to come back
to its first owner; and if, on the contrary,
htNs no M n laf tYOr I'm mn,
would remain with his father-in-law.
During that time the guests had sat over
their frugal meal, of which they partook in
groups of four or five persons around each
wooden bowl Their fingers spared them
the use of forks and spoons. While they
were still occupied with their repast the
bridegroom stole to the nuptial tent, where
he saw his wife for the first time. Ii alf an
hour afterward the noisy party broke up,
and quiet reigDed. Queen.