The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-10-20
MOORISH WEDDINGS.
Peculiar Cererssnies PERFORMED
# In Morocco.
ExtrnorsiInary Appearance OF the I;rrde
when In u state of Preparation
fortho Reception OF the
II bridegroom.

terest1ng sights of Morocco, writes n
correspondent of the London Graphic.
We found our way to low white
washed house, which the ladies' of the
party entered. The gentlemen had to
remain outside, as no man is permitted
to look on u Moorish lady. We found
ourselves in short passage leading
into the "patio,'' square hall round
which the rooms arc built. The patio
. was crowded with women squatting on
the floor, some slipping tea or eating
sweet cakes; others (the paid musicians)
sing in n low, nasal chant to the &C.
compartment 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 lady friends and rcla-
tives, many of whom held long lighted
candles. The women were smartly Mt
tired and had their faces and eyes high
ly painted. The room was long and
narrow. It's ceilings were painted in
brilliant colors and the whitewashed
walls for about six feet were hang with
a handsome dado Of crimson velvet in
panels, each panel being n Moorish
arch applique in green brochc with gold
embroidery Behind white lace cur
tains at each end of the room stood n
bed with white pillows incascd in Moor
lsh embroidery on silk, Il valance of the
Same reaching to the ground. On one
of these beds sat the bride, tailor fash
ion, with q veil of checked muslin en-
tirely cnveloping her. This was pres
emily raised and disclosed the lady to
our view. She was II girl of fourteen,
and being very fat was considered n
beauty. To be fat is considered wom-
ans greatest attraction. Indeed, when
nearing the marriageablc age, it is com
mon for girls to lie for weeks covered
with warm blankets, passing their time
in doing and feeding on fattening
diet of milk, "boos lloosoo" (thc native
dish), oil, peas, or u certain bean, sup
posed to be infalliblc as n fat producer
Her face presented tho most OK
traordinary appearance, being painted
white with delicate pattern in pale
blue, yellow and black on three-cor-
nercd patch of crimson on each cheek
and chin. The eyebrows were indi-
Gated by q thick line of dense black,
and from the corners of the eyes which
were blaclfcned, extended fan-shaped
design in black to the top of the ears
The tips of her fingers and toes were
dyed terra Gotta with henna. Aysha
ESQ She was called) was clad in gor-
gcous kaftan of rcd silk and gold bro
cade, embroidered in gold and reaching
to her ankles. Her undergarments
were pure-colored brocade and her
waistcoat green velvet aud gold. Over
the kaftan hung light guuzc garment
open down the front and confined by n
band of gold and silk in many colors
Her headdress was composed of silk
handkerchiefs, pinned round so as to
show narrow edge OF each OH the
forehead. Above these came band of
black velvet with q close design of seed
pearls and emeralds. Her neck was
encircled by many necklaces, princi-
pally strings of pearls with occasional
uncut cmeralds and amcthysts. She
further wore. n number of rings, and
bracelets and nnklets of n costly but
clumsy description. The most remark
able piece of jcwelry was the earrings,
which were as largo asian ordinary
bracelet, the part going through the
ear being u tube of gold quite half IN
inch in diameter.
While we were gazing at her we heard
a cry in the patio. which was quickly
taken up by the women in the bridal
chamber. The bridal veil was jmmedi-
ately dropped and the women assumed
their hells, a long white wooden shawl.
The reason of this commotion was the
entrance of Ayshn's brother, a tall
Moor in dark blue cloth djellabea and
white turban. He seated himself on
the bed front of his sister, and the lat
ter, putting her arms around his neck,
was Carried pickabacl into the patio
Here the women were congregated
around curious wooden box, swathed
in bridal clothes. AT one side was an
opeping, where the Moor knelt. The
bride climbed over his head and into
the box. Draperies were dropped over
the opening, and Aysha, in her cage.
was hoistcd on mule ut the door of
the house. The procession then formed
up, tho musicians, playing drums, lead
ing the way, followed by Moors carry
ing brass candclabras with colored can
dies. Then came the brides box, sur.
rounded by twenty or thirty Riffians
doing wild, fantastic powder play"
with their long brass or silver-mounted
guns. Then more candles and long
array OF friends. In this way is the
bride bor:4e to her husbands home; no
matter how far it may be, in the box
she must remain until she arrives there.
Then the box is lifted down to the
threshold, and the bridegroom's mother
comes with bowl of milk, loaf of
bread ard salt for the bride to taste.
The keys arc then delivered to her, and,
the old lady keeping in front of the
box, the bride crawls out, crawls onto
her mother-in-law's back, and is carried