Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1891-11-07
HOW MOoRs ARE WE'D.
Peculiar Ceremonies Attending the ceIs-
bration Ia Murncce.

III was evening wien we started of
to a Moorish wedding one OF the most
interes lug sights OF Morocco, writes
correspondent Of the London GraDhic.
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 permit
ted to look on Moorish lady. We
found ourselves in 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 aud
eating sweet cakes; others (the paid
musiciaus) sing 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 lady friends and rea-
tires. many of whom held long lighted
candles. The women were smartly
attired and had their faces and ewes
highly painted. The room was long
and narrow. Its ceiling was painted
in brilliant colors and The whileWashed
walls for about six feet we're hung with
a handsome dado of crimson velvet in
panels, each panel being Moorish
arch applique in green broche with
gold embroidery. Behind white lace
curtains ut each end OF the room stood
a bed with pillows eucased in Moorish
embroidery on silk, valance of the
same. reaching to the ground. On one
OF these beds sat the bride, tailor
fashion. with n veil of checked muslin
entirely enyeloping her. This was
presently raised ana disclosed the lady
To our view. She was girl of IA aud
being very fat was considered beau
ty. To be IA, is considered woman's
greatest attraction. Indeed when
nearing marriageable age. it is COM
mon for girls TO lie for weeks covered
with warm blankets passing their time
in doing aud feeding on a fatlening
diet OF milk. "boo5-koosoo' (tho native
dish), oil, peas. or n certain bean.
supposed to be infailible as a fat pro-
Queer.
Her face presented the most extra
ordinary appearance being painted
white with delicate pattern in pale
blue, yellow and black on three
cornered patch of crimson on each
cheek and chin. The eyebrows were
indicated by thick line of deuse black,
and from the corners of the eyes,
which were blaCkened. extended n 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 $50 she was called) was clad in
"a gorgeous kaftan of red silk aud gold
brOcade, embroidered in gold aud
reaching to her ankles. Her under
garments were purecolored brocade.
and her waistcoat green velvet and
gold. Over the kaIIau hung II light
gauzo garment, open down the front,
aud confined by a band Of gold aud
silk in many colors. Her head-dress
was composed of silk handkerchlels,
pinned round so as to show Il narrow
cuge of each on the forehead. Above
these came baud of black velvet with
close design of seed pearls AMI en-
eralds. Her neck was eucircled by
many necklaces, principally strings Of
pearls, with occasional uncut emeralds
and amcthysts. She further wore
number of rings and bracelets and
anklcts Of Il costly but clumsy descrip-
ton. The most remarkable piece Of
jeWelry was tue earrings which were
as large as an ordinary bracelet, the
part going through the ear being "A
tube of gold quite half an inch in dia-
meter. The glrs aCcustom their ears
to this by pressing date stones through
the hole. At the front of the earrings
was AN ornament Of gold lilagree aud
precious stones. to which was attached
gold Chain fastened by :, brooch 10
the head-dsess. Her outfit was COM
pIeted by pair OF velvet aud gold
slippers.
While we were gazing at her we
heard a cry Ia the patio. which "a7
qAickty taken up bv The women IN the
bridal chamber, The bridal veil was
Immediately dropped, and the women
assumed their hclkS. y long white
wooden shawl The reason of this
commotiou WAS the entrance Of AYsha's
brother IA tail Moor in dark blue cloth
diellabea aud white turban. He seated
himself ON the bed ia front OF his Sis
ter, aud the latter putting her arms
around his neck. was carried picka-
back into the patio. Here the women
were cougrrgated around a curious
wooden box. swathcd ia bridal clothes,
At one side was an opening where the
Moor kueIt. The bride climbed over
his head and into the box. Daperies
were dropped over the opening, aud
Aysua. iu her cage, was hoi>ted on a
mule nj the door Of the house. IHe
procession then formed up the mu,i-
clans, PLAYING drums, leading The way
followed toy MoOrs carving brass cam
deGbras Win colorcd ctudles. Then
game the brides box, surrounded hy
lwrutv or thirty I,illiaus doing II wild.
mmastic ,'powdct play with their
loug brass or silyer-mounled guns.
rhru more candles and long arra. ot
a4eut.. In this way is the bride Oorne
40 her husbands home; no matter bow
/ lni. 10 may he. in the box she must re-
usin until she arrives there. Then
! the brN Is lifted down 10 the threshold,
and Inc bridegroum's mother comes
with "a bowl OF milk, a loaf OF breHL
and sale for the bride TO taste. 1e
[ ... ,b.,, az. itap.tl tp her gu \.