Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-01-15
MOORISH W EDDING.
The Ceremony is Oae of the Most Interest
ing sights of Morocco.

It was evening when we started off to a
Moorish wedding. one of the most inter
esting sights of Morocco We found Que
way to low, Hhitewashed house, which
the ladies of the party catered.
The gentlemen had to remain outside,
as no man is permitted TO look on a
Moorish lady. We found ourselves in a
short passage leading into the patio. ="
square hall around which the rooms are
built.
The patio was crowded with women
squatting ON the floor, some slipping tea and
! eating sweet cakes; Others (the paid musi
ciaus) sing in low, nasal chant to the &C.
impairment of tomtoms.
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 rel
atives, many of whom held long lighted
candles.
The women were smartly attired and had
their faces and eyes highly painted. The
room was long and narrow. It's ceiling was
painted In brilliant colors and the white
washed walls for about six feet were hung
with q handsome dado of crimson velvet
in panels, each panel being Moorish arch
app ique in green broche with gold en-
broidery.
Behind white lace curtains at e1ch
end Of the room stood a bed with pll-
lows encased in Moorish embroidery on
silk. a valance of the same reaching 10 tn !
ground.
On one Of these beds SIT the Bird,
tailor fashion, with veil Of checked mus
lin entirely enveIopIng her. This WIS
presently raised and disclosed the lldy to
our view.
She was a girl of IA, and, being very
fat, was considered beauty. To be fat
is considered a woman S greatest attrac-
ton.
Indeed, when nearing manageable
age it is common for girls to lie for weeks
covered with warm blankets, passing their
time in doing and feeding on a fatten-
ing diet, Of milk, "boos koosoo" (the
native dish), oil, peas, or certain bean
supposed to be infallible az a fat pro-
Queer.
Her face presented the most extraordin-
airy appearance, being painted white with a
delicate pattern In pale blue, yellow and
black on three-c0rnered patch Of crimson
on each cheek and chin.
The eyebrows were indicated by a thin
line of dense black, and from the corners
of the eyes, which were blackened, ex-
tended fan-shaped design in black to the
top of the ears. The tips of her fingers
and toes were dyed terre Gotta with
henna.
Aysha, SO she was called, was clad In
gorgeous kaftan Of red silk and gold bro
cade, embroidered in gold and reaching {,
her ankles. Her undergarmerments we're
colored brocade and her waistcoat green
velvet and gold. Over the kaftan hung a
light gauze garment, opened down the
front and confined by band of gold and
silk In many colorS.
While we were gazing at her we heard a
cry in the patio, which was quick
|, taken up by a woman in the bri5al
chamber. The bridal veil was immedi-
ately dropped and the women assumed
their helks, long, white, wooden shawl.
the reason of this commotion was the
entrance of Aysha's brother, tall Moor,
in dark blue cloth diellaba and white
turban.
He seated himself ON the bed in front of
his sister, and the latter, putting her arms
around his neck, was carried pickaback
into the porto.
Here the women were congregated
around curious wooden box, swathed in
bridal clothes. On one side was an OPEN
ing, where the Moor kneit The bride
climbed over his head and into
the box. Draperies were dropped over
the opening, and Aysha, in her cage,
was hoisted on q mule at the door of the
house.
The procession is then formed and the