The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-01-07
AFRICAN WEDDINGS.
Cruel Rites Performed During the
Ceremony.
brntai Exhibitions OF Physical Courage by
thn SoudanCso Men-Nanncr
of Settling tho Brides
DOwry.

DIR. Junker's la bors in Africa occupied
eleven years, with only one interval of
rest, when it became necessary for him
to recruit his health by Il visit to
Europe, says the Cincinnati Commercial
Gazette. So arduous were his expert
enccs 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 n victim to an insiduous dis
ease, for which the germs had been
sown III the swamps of central Africa
The following interesting account OF
wedding 1T Lado illustrates the au.
thor's habits of close observations
On this occasion the bridal procession
began shortly before eight o'clock. The
bride walked with some of the women
under large mosquito net carried on
four poles, under which IL chair was
borne. that she might rest at the fire.
qucnt halting places. In the van, in
the rear of tie procession large lamps
and small colorcd Chinese lanterns
were carried on sticks, the whole being
accompanied by music A troop of
negro women. with their eternal tam.
tanning, swarmcd round about Tho
men also joined the procession, and be-
fore 1t started and ut hating places the
Arab women performed dances. and |
Witnessed very brutal custom of the
Soudancsc men, in which even some OF
thc clerks took Il part. This is IA chal.
Icngc to duel with the rhinoccros-hid
whip, which, being carried ont in the
presence OF the dancing women, is
meant to testify to the courage of the
mon, 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 arc returned afterwards by thcm
all i'll succession. The pain must have
been excessive, but l did not see the
men move Il muscle. The custom is
really for the bridegroom to receive the
bride ut his threshold and to carry her
into the house, but this form was
omitted, Us the bride was to he for.
inally given away by her fathcr on the
next day.
On the second day sent the we'll
preserved carpet of my large angareb tc
Ali Eifcndi asa present. The banquet
took place in the evening. Emin Bcy
being present. According to custom.
there were several series of rcvc.crs
those who were not eating ut the mo.
mcnt taking their place ON the angarcbs
set up in front of tho houses had
sent my boosted bottle of vermouth
and the few people of the first series
each got Il glass. These evening fcasts
usually last II long time, but tl.is one
was shortened, as so many ceremonies
were to follow. Ibrahim Effcndi was
also obliged to make procession, anG
was led first to Vita's house, where he
was arraycd in n faultlcss 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 around. Later the procession.
accompanied by music, dancing and
shouting, returned to Ali Etfcndi's
Here, after more coffee or karliadcb,
the bride was given away. In this ccrc-
mony the father and bridegroom sill
down in sight of the company on car.
pet, on which the fallir also takes his
place. They then settle the dowry OF
the girl lin this case one hundred and
fifty thalers), which is often, though
not on this occasion, paid over ut once
and taken in charge by somebody whom
the girl appoints. Then the father, the
bridegroom and the fakir take hands
under sprcad-out cloth, the oath
formula and short prayer are said and
all is over.