The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1892-12-22
WEDDING IN EOUATORiA.
ID Junker's Account of Interesting &
Ceremony.

The closing volume of DR.. Junker's
travels in Africa is out. DR.. Junker's
Ia bors in this field of exploration oc-
cupied eleven years, with only one
interval Of rest when it became neces-
sarv for him to recruit his health by
visit to Europe. SO arduous were his
experiences that his life was sacrificed
in the end, since the last proofs Of
this work had hardly passed cut of his
hands before he fell victim to an in
sidious disease, for which the germs
had been sown in the swamps of Cen
tral africa.
The following interesting account of
a wedding at Lado illustrates the au-
thor's habits of close observation:
On this occasion the bridal process
sion began shortly before O'clock.
The bride walked with some of the
women under q large mosquito-net
carried on four poles, under which a
chair was borne, that she might rest
at The frequent hating places. In the
van in the rear Of Tie procession large
lamps and small colorcd Chinese Ian
terms were carried ou sticks, the whole
accompanied by music. i troop of
negro women with their eternal tam
tanning swarmed round about. The
men also joined the procession, and
before it started, and at the halting
places, the Arab women performed
dances. and | witnessed 4 very brutal
custom of the Sudanese men, in which
even some of the clerks took part.
This is challenge to duel with the
rhinoceros hide whip, which, being
carried out in the presence of the
dancing women, is meant to testify to
the courage of the men, who give each
other heavy blows on their bare .houl-
ders and backs. which left thick wales.
Each has to take the same number of
blows from his opponent as he gives.
Sometimes one man will challenge
three or four, to whom he deals in turn
savage blows, which are returned af-
terw2rds by them all in succession.
The peia p.ust have been excessive,
but | did not see the men move
muscle. The custom really is for the
bridegroom to receive the bride at his
threshold and to carry her into the
house, but this form was omitted, as
the bride was to be formally given
away by her father the next day.
On the second day | sent the we'll
preserved carpet of my large angareb
to Ali Eifendi as a present. The BAN
quet took place in the evening, Emin
Bey being present. According to GUS
tom, there were several series of revel-
ers, those who were not eating at the
moment taking their place on the an
garebs set up in front of the houses.
I h,l lpnctaH hCtt1n &c
mouth, and the few people of the first
series each got glass. These evening
feasts usually last long time, but this
one was shortened, as so many cere-
monies were to follow. Ibrahim Ef-
fendi was also obliged to make pro-
ceseion, and was led first to Vita's
house, where he was arraved in a
faultless black suit, lent to him by the
master. In front of the house there
were more chairs and angarebs, and
chocolate and coffee were handed
round. Later the procession, accom-
panied by music, dancing and shout
inc, returned to Ali Elfendi's. Here,
after more coffee or karkadeb, the
bride was given away. In this cere-
mony the father and bridegroom sit
down in sight Of the company on
carpet en- which the Eaki also takes
his place. They then settle the dowry
Of the girl lin this case 15O thalers),
which is often, though not on this oc-
casion, paid over at once and taken in
charge by somebody whom the Girl
appoints. Then the father the bride
groom and the Faki take hands under
a spread-out cloth. the oath formula
and short prayer are said, and all is
over.