The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-11-15
WEDDINGS m LAPLLED.
CURIOUS MARRIAGE CEREMONIES
AMONG ODD PEOPLE.

Groom How the bride q Dressed.
!. Not least curious Of the wedding
ceremonies Of the world are those prac-
ticed BY the people Of Northern Laplnnd.
said Dr.. George n. Boehmer. Of
the Smithsonian Institution. Z The
groom arrives with his parents and
friends at the village where the pros
pective bride resides. and her parents
take charge Of the reindeers Of the visit
ors. Thereupon the latter, though not
accompanied BY the groom. call at the
house of the girl. with whose father and
mother they touch noses.
. Bowling three times they request per-
mission to say something and this being
granted they express theirthanks for the
privilege and again bow thrice. They
then produce 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 three times. After having par
taken Of the wine also the visitors return
thanks for 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 acceptable to
them as son-in-l law. .s-ssS
This concludes the ceremony of the
first 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,
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 remains sit
ting and crying in corner of her pater-
nal dwelling while the banquet lasts.
| After making numerous bowings and
| exchanges Of nose kisses 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 drink
| ing being finished, all shake hands and
kiss and press each Others cheeks. The
groom relatives are asked to assemble
at the house of the bride on the next
day and the second days ceremony i
thus brought to close.
On the third day the father of the
/ girl prepares feast in his house. to
which he invites allsof his relatives. The
| girls assemble and weep with the bride,
whose head and eyes are covered with q
/ veil. When the relatives and friends Of
the groom arrive money il demanded Of
them at the door, and this being paid
according to the circumstances of the
groom, second demand for money il
addressed to them at the inner door.
Payment having been made they enter
4 and find themselves confronted by three
Of the girls relatives. who ask them to
leave the house at once.
n. The groom 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 snowstorm outside. Nevertheless
they are turned out second time, but
on returning once again they are per
United to stay, and are given seats Of
honor. having bowed to every one pres
emit. The brides friends offer wine, and
eating and drinking continue all through
the day, the girl and her female friends
not participating in any Of the festiyi
ties. but continuing to weep in the cor
ner occupied BY them.
Il Eating and drinking being finished
ali present bow and rub noses. complets
confidence having been established on
both sides Thesgroom then takes seal
next TO the bride and. lifting her veil
takes look. at her face Presently b.
rises and leaves, and the same ceremony
Il repeated by the young mans father
mother, and friends. They then address
the young woman's father. saying
Have we now received this girl from
youf' To which he replies You hay'
indeed. Now, do as you please, whether
you burn out her eyes or use her fol
anything you choose. have no longel
iany power over my daughter.
n. The girls attempt to dress tn,
bride in her travelling costume, begin
ming by taking of the clothes which sh,
has worn in her fathers house. How
ever, the bride makes this task difficult
by kicking, jumping and shrieking, 81
that they are finally obliged to dress he
by force, putting on her veil, which sh'
must wear until after she has arrived q
her destination. Two of her girl friend
then conduct her to the reindeer sleigh
in which has already been slowed he
personal property. Wrapping her in |
blanket, they fasten her securely in tn
sleigh, placing upon her head loaf o
bread. On arriving at the groom's hom
the bride is conducted into her futur
dwelling. The loaf Of bread is taken b,
4 the groom's mother, who throws it init
the house. saying: Here thou shall
be mistress Z - Washington Star
LIP Reading for Deaf People.
A schoolmaster gives some usefu