The evening world., 1894-04-18
LAPLAND WEDDING CUSTOMS.
coI uTsIIIp IS CERENONIOIS. BtT
MARRIAGE SERVICE BRIEF.
Girls Make u Great Fuss When At
tired In Bridal Finery.


ceremonies OF the world are those prac-
tlsed by the people of Northern Lap
land" said Dr. George IL. Boehmer, OF
the Smiths oman Institution, to the
Washington star reporter. The briue-
groom arrives with his parents ana
friends at the village where the Irospec-
tive bride resides, and her parents take
chnrp. of the reindeer of the visitors.
Therelipon the latter, though not ac-
rompanIeI 10y the bridegroom, call at the
house of the girl. with whose father ana
mother they touch noses. Bowing three
times the. request permission to say
something, and this being granted they
EXPRESS thanks for the privilege and
again bow thrice.
They then produced a large bottle of
K sslan wine, which they have brought
with them. and iii glasses OF 1t for the
parents OF the young lady. who. before
drinking make three bows and win
three, fingers touch their ioreheats
having partaken OF the wine also the
visitors return thanks for the courtesy
shown them. which In reality expresses
IN. acceptance Of the young man by the
girls family. A refusal on their part to
drink would indicate that he was not
accountable to them as son-in-law..
This concludes the ceremony or the
INST 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 bride
grooms friends. who call upon them three
| times, each time extending an invita-
ton and receiving thanks for the Cour-
tesy. The relatives of the bride that Is
to be all repair to the feast, put the
rirl remains sitting and crying in
her paternal dwelling while the banquet
lasts.
After numerous sbowingsand exchanges
of nose kisses the guests are given the
places Of honor. the men occupying one
side of the table and the women the
| other. while the 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 ard drinking being
finished. all shake hands and kiss and
press each others cheeks, The bride
rroom's relatives are asked to assemble
at the house OF the bride on the next
day, and the second days ceremony is
thus brought to close.
"On the third day the father of the
girl prepares feast In his house, to
| which he 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 and friends
| of the bridegroom arr I've money Is de
manded OF them at the door and this
being paid. according to the circum-
| stances OF the bridegroom, second de-
mand for money is addressed to them
| 1t 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 bridegroom and his companion
| then retire, and. having heaped snow
upon their heads and shoulders, they re-
| turn into the course, saying that they
have been unable to endure the severity
LOT the snowstOrm outside. Nevertheless
| they are turned ont a second time. but
|
| mtted to stay and are given seats OF
honor after having bowed to every one
present. The brides friends offer wine
and eating and drinking continue al
| through the day. the girl and her female
friends not participating In any. festiyi
ties, but continuing to weep In th'
corner occupied by them.
| "Eating and drinking being finished
Ian bow aud rub noses, complete conn
d-nce having been established on botl
sides, The bridegroom then takes IA sea
takes look at her face. Presently h
rises and leaves and the same ceremon!
IL repeated hy the young mans fathe
and mother ana friends. They then al
dress the Young woman's father, saying
'Have We now received this girl from
vuu? To which h. replies You hav
indeed. Now do as YOU please, whethe
Eyou burn out her eyes or use her 70
. lanything you choose. | have no longe
any power over my daughter The girl
attempt to dress NJ nrid" In her tray
the clothes which she has worn In he
fathers house.
However the bride makes this difficul
/ Ihy kicking. jumping and shrieking. $
that they are finally Obliged to dress he
by force. putting on her veil, whic
she must wear until after she has al
rived at her destination. Two of ne
girl friends then conduct her to IN
reindeer sleigh. in which has alread
been slowed her personal property
0 Wrapping her In blanket they taste
, her securely In the sleigh, placing upo
her head loaf OF bread. On arrivin
at the bridegroom's home the bride
n conducted into her future dwelling, Th
> loaf OF bread is taken by the bride
groom's mother who throws II into tn
house saying: Here thou shalt be mis-
trcss'"