St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-03-12
MARRIAGES IN AFRICA.
Savage Rites Attendant Uponrthe
simplest of Ceremonies. 3.F

Simplest of Ceremonies. d F9
The closing volume of DIR. Junker's
travels in Africa is 6dt. The following
interesting account of wedding at
Lado illustrates the authors habits of
close observation! ST. /,
On this occasion the bridal proceSsion
began shortly before O'Clock. The
bride walked with some of the womeni
under large mosquito net carried on
four poles, under which a chair was
borne, that she might rest at frequent.
hating places. in the van. in therear
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 tamtaming. swarmed
round about. The men also Joined the
procession. and before it started and at
hating places the Arab women per-
formed dances, and l witnessed very
brutal custom of the SudaneSe men, in
which even some of the clerks took
part. This is a challenge 10 a duel with
rhinoceroshide whip, which, being
carried Out in the presence of the dane
ing women. is meant to testify to the
courage of the men, who gave each
other heavy blows on their bare shout
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 afterWard by
them all in succession. The pain must
bave been excessive, but | did not see
the men move a muscle. The custom is
really for the bridegroom to receive the
bride at his threshold and carry her
into the house, but this form was omit
ted, as the bride was to be formally
given away by her father oil the next
day.
On the second day | sent the we'll
preserved carpet of my large angareb to
All Effendi as present The banquet
took place in the evening, Emin Bes
being present. According to custom,
there we're several series of revelery,
those who were not eating at the moment
taking their place OH the angarebs set
up in front of the house. | had sent
my boosted bottle of vermouth. and a
few people of the first series each got a
glass. These evening feasts usually
last long time, but this one was
shortened, so many ceremonies were to
follow. Ibraham Effendi was also
obliged to make procession, and was
led first to Vita's house, where he was
arrayed In 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 around. Later the
procession, accompanied by music dane
ing and shouting, returned to Ali Eff
fendI's. Here, after more coffee or
karkadeb, the bride was given away. In
this ceremony the father and bridegroom
sit down in sight of the company
on carpet, on which the faki also
takes his place. They then settle the
dowry of the girl lin this case $50
thalers), whichis often, though not on
this occasion, paid over at once, and
taken in charge by somebody whom the
girl appoints. Then the father, fhe
bridegroom and the faki take hands I'M
der spread-out cloth, the oath formula
and short prayer are said, and all is
over