The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-08-17
A LAPP WEDDING.
QUEER MARRIAGE CEREMO-
MES In REINDEER LAND.
Touching Noses and Bowin2 Pro
tusely-Feasting While the Bride
is Crying and the Groom
is Turned Out of Doors.

v world are those practlceu
by the people of Northern
Lapland," said DR.. George H. Boehmer,
of the Smithsonian Institution, to q
writer for the Washington Star. "The
groom arrives with his parents and
friends at the village where the prospec-
tive bride resides and the parents take
charge of the reindeer of the visitors.
Thereupon the latter, though not a ac-
companied by the groom, call at the
house of the girl, with whose father and
mother they touch noses. Bowing three
times they request permission to say
something, and this being granted they
express their thanks for the privilege
and again bow thrice. They then pro-
duce 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 re-
turn thanks for the courtesy shown
them, which in reality expresses the &C.
ceptance of the young man by the girl's
family. A refusal on their part to drink
would indicate that he was not accept
able to them as son-in.law.
"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,
each time extending an invitation and
receiving thanks for the courtesy. The
relatives of the bride that is to be all re-
pair to the feast except the girl, who
remains sitting and crying in corner of
her paternal dwelling while the banquet
lasts. After numerous bowings and ex-
changes of 'nose-kisses,' the guests are
given the places of honor, the men oc-
cupying one side of the table and the
women the other, while tie 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
drinking being finished, all shake hands
and kiss and press each others cheeks.
The groom's relations are asked TO as.
semble at the house Of the bride on the
next day and the second days ceremony
is thus brought to close.
ssOn the third day the father of the
girl prepares feast in his house, to
which be invites all of his relatives. The
girls assemble and weep with the bride,
whose head and eyes they cover with a
veil. When the relatives aud friends of
the groom arrive money Is demanded of
them at the door, and this being paid
according to the circumstances of the
groom a second demand for money is
addressed to them at 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 house at once. The groom
and his companion then retire, and, hav.
ing heaped snow upon their heads and
shoulders, they return into the house say
ing that they have been unable to endure
the severity of the snow storm outside.
Nevertheless they are turned out sec
ond time, but on returning olce 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 con.
tinue all through the day, the girl and
her female friends not participating in
any of the festivities, but continuing to
weep in the corner occupied by them.
s.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 look at her face. Presently
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, say
ing, Have we now received this girl
from you2' To which he replies, you
have, indeed. Now, do as you please,
whether you burn out her eyes or use
her for anything you choose. l have no
longer any power over my daughter
The girls attempt to dress the bride in
her travelling costume, beginning by
taking off the 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, putting on her veil, which she
must wear until after she has arrived at
her destination. Two of her girl friends
then conduct her to the reindeer sleigh,
in which has already been slowed her
personal property. Wrapping her in
blanket they fasten her securely III the
sleigh. placing upon her head loaf OF
bread. On arriving at the groom's
home the bride is conducted into her
future dwelling. The loaf of bread is
taken by the groom's mother, who
throws it into the house. saying, "Here
thou shalt be nistress"