The Red Cloud chief., 1892-08-26
a MANCAU WEDDING.
Christian and barbarian Rites Curiousiy
CommingleI.

All things to ali men Is evidently inc
rule of Christian missionaries in Man
churia. They are making use in that
savage country of the characteristic
ways and manners of the people, md
are cngrafting the rites of hcathcndom
upon the ceremonies OF the church.
such is the case in weddings, which,
though solemnizrd by II Christian
minister, are conducted according To
the ancient customs Of II heather.
such IA function has recently been de-
scribcd by Il London daily Graphic"
correspondent.
''Thc invitations to the festivities"
he says, were brought TO us ON large
scarlet cards. Our arrival was preceded
10y that of our servant bearing u gift oil
money, for each guest was supposed to
contribute % sum. noIuinally ~ wedding |
present, really towards the expenses of
the feast From an carly hour the
musicians had been hard Mt work,
drumming and trumpcting. The two
professional cooks had had their share
from morning till night for three days
prcviously-all the time up tothc clboNvs
in dough, grease and garlic. For some
weeks before the ceremony my old
newspapers had been mystcriously dis
appearing. The mystery of their where
abou,s was now solved. My boy, or
head servant, was IL friend Of the family;
and the apartment 10 be occupied by
the happy couple wa papercd with
newspaper clippings.
''Thc bride, shroudcd from head to
foot in u long faded crimson robe, with
u piece Of thick scarlet silk over her
head and face, was seated on u mat OF
red fclt-red being the lucky color-on
the 'kang,' or brick bed. The bride
groom, n youth of -, sumptuously at
tired in plum-colorod b:oclde, II black
official hat with rcd tasscl, II high
military boots, seemed but little i'm
pressed by the Importance of the affair.
His thoughts, indeed, were centcrcd
rather on the coming feast and Juvenile
sports with his companions. Both bride
and bridegroom being Christians, the
religious ceremony was performed by n
missionary. The couple were seated
side by side on II bench covered with
scarlet felt. The bride was accompanied
by two elderly matrons, who literally
pushed her through the performance,
scarcely leaving her tsdc, and generally
rlutchiny the nearest part OF her gar
mcnt.
The cercmon over, the bridegroom
speedily Invested himself of the iinery
hired for the occasion and rcjoined his
playmates, while the bride was con.
Quoted to the sacred precincts of the
woman's apartments. She was then
! ,l,,..t,J 90 hos, ,riv,1,,, GUSTAV. saba and
appeared in all hcr bridal tinery of
green trousars and scarlet jacket with
embroidered sleeves. She did not pre-
sent IL very attractive spectacle. Her
hair, now to be arranged for the first
time in matronly style, fell in wild elf
locks over her shoulders. Her eyes
were red and swollen with crying, and
her face entirely free from any vestigc
of the paint with which the Manchurian
women smear their faces. A friendly
argument now arose among the lady
visitors rs to who was to havc the
honor of washing the brides face. This
being settled, the ncwly-made mother
in-liw brought water in ashining brass
basin, and II portly matron proceeded to
operate upon the unfortunate bride. A
. blildil DiDGT, tolIstiIihB ~ Bihg ION l'"
der, was next produced, and the powder
rubbed on the brides forehead close tc
the roots of her hair. The operating
female then began to pluck out great
tufts OF hair, SO Us 10 produce the high
square forehead considered beautiful II
Manchuria. The bride bore the opera
ton without wincing. Tho next pro
cceding was To dress the brides hair. i
was drawn over "a wire frame, SO as &
) produce the effect of a large Alsatiar
bow. Variously ornamented silver pins
quivcring insects made of kingtishers
feathers, and artificial flower wer,
. stuck into her hair, and the ceremon,
was complete. The poor bride was nov
/! left entirely to herself, 1o one taking
any further notice of her unless to max,
more or less unlsind comments on he
personal appearance. No wonder sh,
looked miserable when handed over I,
the tender mercies Of her new mother
in-law. 1t is not etiquette for n brid,
to eat on her wedding day, nor should
she display a vigorous appetite until sh,
has been married for at least Il week.
After this the guests arrived fast. AM
! the inner apartments became thronget
u with Il crowd of noisy chattering dame
I in holiday attire. Scalding hot bowl
: OF green tea, the weakest of the weak
were handed round; long-stcinmed pipe
U were passed from hand to hand, or
more correctly, from mouth to mouth
Children of all sizes tumbled about
cried, quarrelled, rompsd, and wer
O noisy. The more important of the NAL
q guests were seated round tables in tn,
outer room, smoking and drinking tea
u waiting for dinner. The younger one
strollcd about outside, or lolled on tn
'kang,' trying mo- to look hungry. an,
making bad jokes at the bridegroom
expense. Mingled odors from the cook
house then came fast and furious; table
II were laid, and chopsticks, bowls. an,
wine cups placed. Warned by past OK
% ~perience of Chinese ~feasts, | bade fare
Q well, wishing the bridal pair long life
d health, and happiness. Music! at frs
distant, then gradually drawing neare