The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1893-01-04
AFRICAN wEDDlNGS.
Cruel Rites Performed During the
Ceremony.
BrutaI Exhibitions OF Physical Courage By
tho soudAnese Msn-Manner
Of Settling the Brides
DoWry.

Or. Junker's abors In Africa occupied
eleven years, with only one interval OF
rest, when II became necessary for him
to recruit his health by visit to
Europe, says the Cincinnati Commercial
Gazette. So arduous were his expert
ences that his life was sacrificed In the
end, since the last proofs Of his work
had hardly passed out of his hands be-
fore he fell victim to an insiduous dis
ease, for which the germs had been
sown In the swamps Of central Africa.
The following interesting account OF
q wedding at Lado illustrates the au-
thor's habits OF close observation:
On this occasion the bridal procession
began shortly before eight o'clock. The
bride walked with some Of the women
under a large mosquito net carried on
four poles, under which chair was
borne, that she might rest at the fire.
quent hating places In the van, in
the rear OF the procession, large lamps
and small colored Chinese lanterns
were carried on sticks, the whole being
accompanied by music. A troop OF
negro women, with their eternal tam
tanning, swarmed round about The
men also joined the procession, and be-
fore It started and at halting places the
Arab women performed dances, and ]
witnessed very brutal custom of the
Soudanese men, in which even some OF
the clerks took a part. This is chal-
lenge 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 gave each other heavy blows
on their bare shoulders 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 afterwards by them
all in succession. The pain must have
been excessive, but / did not see the
men move muscle. The custom is
really 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 for
mally given away by her father on the
next day.
On the second day sent the well
preserved carpet of my large angareb tC
Ali Effendi as present. The banque'
took place in the evening, Emin Beg
being present. According to custom
there were several series OF jewellers
those who were not eating at the mo
ment taking their place on the angareb
set up in front of the houses. ha'
sent my boasted bottle Of vermouth
and the few people Of the hrst serie
each got a glass. These evening feast
usually last a long time, but this on
was shortened, as so many ceremonie
were TO follow. Ibrahim Efendi wa
} also obliged TO make procession, an
was led first TO Vita's house, where h
was arrayed in a faultless black suit
lent to him by the master. In front O
the house there were more chairs an
anqarebs, and chocolate and coffee wer,
handed around. Later the procession
accompanied by music, dancing an
; shouting, returned to Ali Efendi't
: Here, after more coffee or karkadet
:. the bride was given away. In this cert
b mony the father and bridegroom 81
Y down In sight of the company on a car
pet, on which the falxir also takes HI
place. They then settle the dowry
the girl lin this case one hundred an
u fifty thalers), which Is often, thoug
J. not on this occasion, paid over at ono
& and taken in charge by somebody whoI
d the girl appoints Then the father, II
/. bridegroom and the falSir take hant
a under n spread-out cloth, the oat
: formula and short prayer are said ar
y | all IL over