Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-23

heoarkooie Ceremo0te9 Aftn0ofnI Aonan80
I'm Reindeer Land.
ssNoT LEAST CURIOUS OF THE WE'D
~ ding ceremonies Of the world are those
prscticed BY the people Of northern LApland,"
said Or. George II. Boehmer Of the Smithsonian
Institution TO writer for TEE STAR The
groom arrives with his parents and friends Al
the village where the prospective bride resides
and her parents take charge Of the reindeer Of
the visitors. Thcreupon the latter. though not
accompanied by the groom. call AZ the house Of
the girl, with whose father and mother they
touch noses. Bowling three times they request
permission to say something, and this being
granted they express their thanks for the priv
ilege and again bow thrice. They then pro-
duce large bottle Of Russian wine, which they
have brought with them. and I'LL glasses Of il
for the parents Of the young lady, who.
before drinking, mako three bows. and
with three fingers touch their foreheads,
shoulders and chests three times. After
having partaken OF the wine also. the visitors
return thanks for the courtesy shown them,
which In reality expresses 'he 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 a son-in-law.
This concludes the ceremony Of the FIRST
the house occupied by the young man, 10 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 rela-
tives Of the bride that Is TO be all repsir 10 the
feast except the girl, who remains sitting and
crying in . corner OF her paternAl dwelling
while the banquet lasts. After numerous bow
ings and exchanges Of nose kisses the guests
are given the places Of honor, the men occupy
ing one side Of the table and the women the
other, while the parents OF the young man
out glasses Of wine for the parents
and brothers Of the girl three
times in succession. Eating aud drinking
being finished, all shake hands and kiss and
press each others cheeks. The groom's rela-
tives are asked to assemble ut the house Of the
bride on the next day and the second day q
ceremony is thus brought 10 a close.
ION the third day the father Of the girl pre-
pares feast in his house, 10 which he invites
all OF his relatives. The girls assemble and
weep with the bride, whose head and eyes they
cover with q veil When the relatives and
friends OF The groom arrive money is demanded
OF them at the door, and this being paid accord
ing to the circumstances Of the groom second
demand Tor money is addressed to them az the
inner door. Payment having been made they
enter and find themselves confronted by three
OF the girls relatives. who ask them to leave the
hooHo a. ohSc lue anu MS COM
panion then retire, and, having heaped snow
upon their heads and shoulders. thew return
into the house saying that they have been
unable to endure the severity of the snow
stoym outside. Nevertheless they are turned
out second time. but on returning once
again they are permitted TO stay and are given
seats Of honor. after having bowed to every one
present. The brides friends offer wine. and
eating and drinking continue all through the
day, the girl and her female friends not par
ticipating in any of the festivities but contin-
uing to weep in the corner occupied by them
Eating and drinking being finished, all
present bow and rub noses, complete confidence
having been established on both Sides The
groom then takes a seat next to the bride and
lifting her veil, takes q look at her face. Pres
entity he rises and leaves. and the same cere-
mony Is 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 you? To which he re-
plies, You have, indeed. Now, do a. YOU
please, whether YOU burn ont her ewes or use
her for anything you choose. have no longer
any power over my daughter The girls at
tempt to dress the bride in her travelling cos
tune, beginning by taking off tho clothes
which she has worn in her fathers house
However. the bride makes this task difficult by
kicking; Jumping and shrieking, SO that they
are finally obliged to dress her by force, pat
ting on her a veil, which she must wear until
after she has arrived at her destins-
ZION. Two OF her girl friends then con-
duct her to the reindeer sleigh, in which has al
ready been slowed her persona. property.
Wrapping her In a blanket they fasten her se-
curely in the sleigh, placing upon her head a
loaf of bread. On arriving at the groom 8
home the bride il conducted into her future
dwelling The loaf of bread il taken by the
groom s mother, who throws il into the house
saying. Here thou shalt be mistress!''