The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-06
CUPID AMONG THE LAPPs
Remarkable Weddings in the Freezing
Reindeer Land.
From the Washington Star.

Reindeer Land.
From the Washington Star.
mot the least curious of the wedding
ceremonies of the world are those practiced
by the people of Northern Lapland." said
DIR. George b. Boehmsr of the Smithsonian
Institution. "The bridegroom arrives with
his parents and friends at the village where
the prospective bride resides, and her
parents take charge Of the reindeer of the
visitors TheroupOn the latter. though not
at tie house Of the girl. with
whose father and mother they touch
noses. Bowling three times they re-
quest permission to say something. and this
being granted they express thanks for the
privilege and again bowed thrica. They
then produce a large bottle OF Russian wine.
which they have brought With them, and
fill glasses Of it for the parents Of the young
lady, who, before drinking, make three
bows, and with three fingers touch their
foreheads, shoulders and chests thres times.
After having partaken of the wine also, the
visitors return thanks Tor the courtesy
shown them, which, in reality, expresses
the acceptance of the young man by the
girls family. A refusal on their part to
drink would indicate that he was not ac4
oeptable to them as a son-in-law.
"This concludes the ceremony of the frat
day. On the next morning feast is spread
In the house occupied by the young man ,
TO which the girls relatives are invited by
delegations Of the groom's friends, who call
upon them three times each time extending
an invitation and receiving thanks for the
courtesy. The relatives Of the bride that is
| to be all repair to the feast except the girl,
who romans sitting and crying In her
paternal dwelling while the banquet lasts
After numerous bowings and exchanges OF
'nose-ksses.' the guests are given the places
| Of honor, the men occupying one side Of the
| table and the women the other, while the
parents OF the young man stand at the door.
| The latter then pour out glasses of wine for
| the parents and brothers Of the girl three
times in succession. Eating and drinking
| being finished, all shake hands and kiss and
press each others ohseks. The bridegroom
relatives are asked to assemble at the house
| OF the bride on the next day and the second
days ceremony Is thus brought TO close.
"On tho third day the father of tho girl
prepares a feast in his house, TO which he
| invites all of his relatives. The girls as
semble and weep with the bride, whose
| head and eyes they cover with q veil.
| When the relatives and friends Of ths bride
| groom arrive money is demanded of them
at the door, and this being paid according
| TO the circumstances OF the bridegroom a
| second demand for money is addressed to
them at the inner door. Payment having
been made they enter and find themselves
confronted by three OF tho girls rela-
| tives, who ask them to leave the house
| at once This bridegroom and his companion
then retire, and, having heaped snow
| upon their heads and shoulders, they return
| into the house, saying that they have been
unable to endure the severity of the snow
storm outside. Nevertheless they are
| turned out a second time. but In returning
once again they are permitted to stay aud
| bowed to every one present. The brides
continue all through the day the girl and
her female friends not participating In any
| "a the festivities, but continued to weep in
| tin corner occupied by them.
Eating and drinking being finished, all
| bow and rub noses, complete confidence
| having been established on both sides The
| bridegroom then takes a seat next to the
| bride and lifting her veil takes a look at her
| face. Presently he rises and leaves, and the
| same ceremony is repeated by the young
man's father, mother and friends. They
| then address the young woman's father,
| saying: Have we now received this girl
| from your To which he replies: you have
indeed. Now do as you please, whether you
burn out her eyes or use her for ANYTHING
| YOU choose. have no longer any power
| over my daughter The girls attempt 70
| dress the bride In her travelling costume
| beginning by taking off the clothes
| which she has worn in her fathers
house. However, the bride makes this diff
| hcult by kicking, jumping and shrieking
so that they are finally obliged 10 dress her
By force, putting on her o vol, which she