Tensas gazette., 1894-08-03
AFRICAN WEDDINGS.
Cruel Rites Performed During the
Ceremony.
Brutal Exhibitions Of Physical Courage by
the scudanese Nen-Manner
of Settling the Brides
Dowry.

DR.. Junlker's Ia hors in Africa occupied
eleven years, with Culy one interval of
rest. when it became necessary for him
10 recruit his health by q 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 ne fell a victim to an insiduous dis
ease. for which the germs had been
sown IN the swanps of central Africa.
The following interesting account of
a wedding at LaGo 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 a chair was
borne. that she might rest at the fire.
quent haltIng 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 a chal-
ienge 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 a 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 we'll
preserved carpet of my large angareb to
Ali Effendi as a present. The banquet
took place in the evening, Emin Bey
being present. According 10 custom,
there were several series of revelers.
those who were not eating at the mo-
ment taking their place on the angareSs
set up in front of the houses. / had
sent my boasted bottle Of vernouth,
and the few people of the first series
each got glass These evening feasts
usually last long time, but this one
was shortened, as so many ceremonies
were to follow Ibrahim Effendi was
also obliged to make procession. and
was led first 70 Vita's house. where he
was arrayed in a 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 Effendi's.
Here, after more coffee or karkadeb,
the bride was given away In this cere-
mony the father and bridegroom sit
down in sight of the company on a car
pet, on which the fallir also takes his
place. They then settle the dowry Of
the girl Tin this case one hundred and
fifty thalers). which is often. though
not on this occasion. paid over at once
aud taken in charge by somebody whom
the girl appoints. Then the father. the
bridegroom and the falsir take hands
under a spread-out cloth. the oath
formula and short pra yer are said and
all is over.