The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1892-03-19
MARRIAGE CEREMONIES.

How the Snvages In other Countries Go
Through the Marriage Ceremony.
Compared with the simple rites of less
civilized people our marriage ceremony
seems trying ordeal for the young and
bashful couple to go through.
The Cherokee form of marriage is,
perhaps, the simplest and most express
sive of any. The man and woman
merely join hands over running
stream, cmblematic of the wish that
their future lives, hopes and aspirations
should flow on in the same channel
Between the mountains of India and
Persia is powerful tribe, among
whom an extraordinary custom pre-.
walls. Women's rights apparently have
received full recognition, for the ladies
OF the tribe can choose their own hus-
bands.
All n single lady has to do when she
wishes to change her state is to send
servant to pin handkerchief to the hat
OF the man on whom her fancy lights,
and he is obliged TO marry her except
he can show he is too poor to purchase
her at the price her father requires.
The way the Singalese and Tartar
tribes have of popping the question is
about as singular as their marriage
rites The man sends and purchases
The lady's wearing apparel
OF course, if she does not like the
gentleman she need not part with the
contents Of ner wardrobe, but If he is
tine favored one she readily does so,
| moving that when the evening comes
| hey will be returned to her by the
| suitor in person
He spends the night beneath the same
roof with her, and next day, after a cer-
tain amount of fcasting is gone
| through, the couples thumbs are tied to-
| ccthcr, and thenceforward they are man
| md wife.
In certain parts of Africa u custom
once prevailed land may still of the in
tended bride bringing a bowl or Gala
bash of water for the bridegroom to
wash his hands in.
| II he condescended to do so she theF
and there acknowledged him as her lord
ana master, and moreover drank the
water as proof of her love and fidel-
ity, and cases have been known where
"a copious shedding of tears of Joy and
! :hankfulness accompanied the latter
act.
Among some of the aboriginal races
of America the would-be bridegroom
sometimes experienced considerable diff
ficulty in winning bride.
There was matrimonial mound or
which the priest stood, around which
the swain had to chase the fair one.
If he was not favored suitor the lady
generally managed to make the circuit
three times before being overtaken, il
which case she was not compelled tc
marry her pursuer.
How amusing it would be in. this
country to see fat old bachelor (tha
s, if minus of riches) chasing MIN bic
maiden round hillock.
But infinitely more trouble has {
youth of the Philippines ere he is al
lowed to take a wife to his bosom.
After the parents on both sides havt
come to terms, the young gentleman
has to work for his intended father-in
law for certain time, very often TO
four years, and sometimes longer. Dur
ing this time he must mind his p's ant
q's, for if he does anything wrong he i
instantly discarded.
Very frequently unscrupulous father
make practice of dismissing thei
: daughters young men on the meres
pretense, thus enriching themselves b.
their gratuitous labor.
' A strange practice is that of betrotl
ing girl before she is born, condition
ally, of course The Calmucs do so. Bu
the girl is allowed an opportunity, o
her bridal morning, of winning her free
dom, should she dislike the man he
parents have chosen for her.
The marriage ceremony is performe
by the bride riding away at full speed
. pursued by the bridegroom, who mus
8 capture her and bring her back; if h
fails to do so he is deemed unworthy {
, her hand. Very rarely can a Calnu
lady be overtaken unless she has n pa
tiality for her pursuer.
In some parts of India an eXtrao
dinary marriage ceremony is performed
D The bridegroom, bride and priest driv
s u COW and calf into the water, and the
? all three lay a hand on the cows ia
d while the priest pours some water on
|. from brass vessel, from which act til
couple are joined forever in the bono
of matrimony.
7 The priest claims the COW and calf, t,
: gether with all the money the happ
pair may give to the idols to propitiat
T them, as recompense for his troubl
When young Savoyard goes a-wo
ing he pays considerably more attel
:, tion to the admired ones fire than ht
face. If she leaves the billets of woo
: undisturbed on the hearth it is sig
he is welcome; but should she place OF
d of the burning faggots in an upright p
b sition against the others, it is hint il
b him to take his departure. e.-Cincinna