The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-03-18
MARRIAGE CEREMONIES.

L
NOW the savages 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 so through.
The Cherokee form of marriage is
perhaps, the simplest and most express
sive of any. The man and woman
merely join hands over a running
stream, emblematic 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 a 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 a single lady has TO do when she
wishes to change her state is to send a
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, il she does not like the
gentleman she need not part with the
contents Of her wardrobe, but if he is
the favored one she readily does So
| al.
they will be returned to her by the
sutton in person.
He spends the night beneath the same
roof with her, and next day. after GER
tain amount of feasting is gone
through, the couples thumbs are tied to-
gether, and thenceforward they are man
and wife.
In certain parts of Africa a custom
once prevailed land may Silly of the in
tended bride bringing a bowl or Gala
bash of water for the bridegroom to
wash his hands in.
If he condescended to do so she then
and there acknowledged him as her lord
and master, and moreover drank the
water as proof of her love and fdel-
ity, and cases have been known where
a copious shedding of tears of joy and
thankfulness accompanied the latter
act.
Among some of the aboriginal races
of America the would be bridegroom
sometimes experienced considerable diff
6culty in winning bride.
There was a matrimonial mound on
which the priest stood, around which
the swain had to chase the fair one.
If he was not favored sutton the lady
generally managed to make the circuit
three times before being overtaken, in
which case she was not compelled to
marry her pursuer.
How amusing it would be in this
country to see a fat old bachelor (that
is, if minus of riches) chasing nimb
maiden round hillock.
But infinitely more trouble has q
youth of the Philippines ere he is al
lowed to take a wife to his bosom.
After the parents on both sides have
come to terms, the young gentleman
has to work for his intended father-in-
law for n certain time, very often for
four years, and sometimes longer. Dur
ing this time he must mind his p's and
q's. for if he does anything wrong he is
instantly discarded.
Very frequently INSCRIPTIONS fathers
make practice of dismissing their
daughters young men on the merest
pretense, thus enriching themselves by
their gratuitous labor.
strange practice is that of betroth-
ing girl before she is born, condition
ally, of course. The Calmucs do so. But
the girl is allowed an opportunity. On
her bridal morning, of winning her free
dom. should she dislike the man her
parents have chosen for her.
The marriage ceremony is performed
by the bride riding away at full speed.
pursued by the bridegroom, who must
capture her and bring her back; If he
fails to do so he is deemed unworthy of
her hand. Very rarely can q Calmuc
lady be overtaken unless she has par
TALLY for her pur,uer.
In some parts of India an extraor-
binary marriage ceremony is performed.
The bridegroom. bride and priest drive
COW and calf into the water, and then
all three lay hand on the cows tail
while the priest pours some water on II
from a brass vessel. from which act the
couple are joined forever in the bonds
of matrimony.
The priest claims the cow and calf, to-
gether with all the money the happy
pair may give to the idols to proptiate
them. as a recompense for his trouble.
When a young Savoyard goes a-woo-
ing he pays considerably more atten-
ton TO the admired ones fire than her
face. II she leaves the billets of wood
undisturbed on tho hearth it is sign
he is welcome; but should she place one
OF the burning faggots in an upright po-
sition against the others, it is hint for
him to take his departure. Cincinnati
Commercial Gazette.
a ANSFORMATION.