The St. Johns herald., 1892-08-25
'MO0RISH WEDDINGS.
Peculiar Ceremonies Performed A---- in Morocco.
Extraordinary Appearance of the Bride When in a State of Preparation for the Reception of the
 Bridegroom.

Moor1sh wedding, one of the most in
 teresting sights Of Morocco, writes
 correspondent of the London Cra9ls:o
 We found our way to a low vaitc
 washed house, which the ladies Cf t'.
 party entered. The gentlemen l3l
 remain outside, as no man is perm nittl.
 to look or a Moorish lady. Ne f-s2
 ourselves in a short passagc lcas....
 into the patio, a square hall ro..n
 which the rooms are bDilt. The p,5
 was crowded with women sGuat:;ng
 the floor, some Gipping tea or eat;l
 sweet cakes; others (tnc paid ial,sioil5
 sing ia a low, nasal chant to t:.c <;
 compartment Of toIa-toIcs.
 Passing through these we came in:
 tae room where the bride sat in st..l.
 The atmosphere w2s stifinr. S,.c v.e
 surrounded by lady friends and re3.
 t:Tcs, many Of whom held long Ji-rst
 candles. The women were amaltly
 tired and had t!lcir faces and eyes hi
 lY painted. The room was lcnG 2
 nlrTow. Its ceilings were I.a;-tsI
 brilliant colors and the whitevG.
 walls for about six feet were hGIi.; S..-
 a handsome dado of crimson veiyct
 panels, each panel being Moor
 arch applique ia green brcclc yFit..l E.
 embroidery. Behind white lace c
 taiES at each end of the room st3o1
 led with white pillows incascd ia .sio3
 ish embroidery on silk, :, valance O. i.
 sane reaching to the ground. Gu C.
 cf these beds sat tlle bride. t5ilc~ fl,
 ion, with veil cf checked r2:.sl:n e. tiIely cnveloping her. This was rrc, cntly raised and disclosed the lady our view. She was a girl O. fcurtcc. and being very fat was considered beauty. To be fat is consi1ecod Q worc ans greatest attraction. Indeed, vie. nearing the marriagcable age, it is coIa mon for girls to lie for weeks coverco with warm blankets, passing their tiLny in dozing and feeding On f2tteZiae dict of milk, ''boos koosoo' (ths native Gish), oil, peas, or certain bean, sup posed to be infallible Gs f2t producer.
 Her face presented the m5st e. traordinary appearance, being paintaA white with a delicate pattern in p2,S .f ncred patch of crimson on each checi and chin. The eyebrows were inai cated by thick line of dense Lloo3.. and from the corners of the eyes v1.ie. were blackened, extended fa.-sh2Te design in black to the top Cf the cars The tips of her fingers and toes wer. dyed terra cotta with henna. Aysn (so she was called) was clad in co- geous kaftan of red silk and gold bro cade, embroidered in gold and rcachia to her ankles. Her undergarmcni were pure-colorcd brocade and h.. waistcoat green velvet and gold. 0gsi the haitian hung light gauze garment open down the front and confined by band of gold and silk il many coiors Her headdress was composed of sil,S handl1erchiefs, pinned round so as t. show narrow edge of each OF the forehead Above these came . band ot black velvet with close design Of seed pearls and emerGld5. Her neck was encircled by many necllaS e, princi pally strings of pearls with occasiona. uncut emeralds and Gslut.iyats. S4se further wore a number Of rings, ant bracelets and anklets of Q costly brt clumsy description. The most remark able piece of jewelry was the earring3. which were as large as Gn ordinary bracelet, the part going through the car being tube of gold quite half aa inch in diameter.
 While we were gazing at her we hear a cry in the patio, which was quickl' taken up by the women in the brida chamber. The bridal veil was immcd ately dropped and the women assumct their helks, long white woolen shawl The reason of this commotion was t., entrance of Aysha's brother, tai Moor in dark blue cloth djellabea ant white turban. He seated himself oa the bed front of his sister, and the lat ter, putting her arms around bis neck, was carried pickabach into the patio. Here the women were congregateo around curious wooden box, swatheG in bridal clothes. At one side was ar opening, where the Moor knelt. The bride climbed over his head and int the box. Draperies were dropped ovei the opening, and Aysha, in her cage was hoisted on a mule at the door c the house. The procession then forme, up, the musicians, playing drums, lead ing the way, followed by Moors carry. ing brass candelahGas with colored can dles. Then came the brides box, sur rounded by twenty or thirty Rifiar. doing wild, fantastic powder play with their long brass or silver-mouate, guns. Then more candles and q lon. array of friends. In this way is th. bride borne to her husbands home; nt matter how far it may be, in tie box she must remain until she arrives there Then the box is lifted down to the threshold, and the bridegroom's matker comes with a bowl of milk, a leaf O. bread and salt for t.le bride to taste The keys are then delivered ta her, and the old lady keeping in front Of u, box, the bride crawls out, crawis ont her mothcr-in-law's back, and is carrie: to the bridal chamber, there. still yelled to be locked in alone. The mother the, delivers the key Of the room to her GOT. who goes to unveil aad look for the first