Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-06
MARRIAGE IN BULGARIA
Some of the Curious Customs Observed
in That Country

| From the New York Tribune
There are few places within the limits Of
generalization that boast of more inter-
| esting marriage customs than Bulgaria
Every young peasant wishes to marry as
early as possible, he is of little import-
ance in the community Until he has a wife
! But he is not in danger of forming an al
| lance in opposition to his parents wishes,
as his earnings belong TO them until he Is
Weuded. and his wife must be bought and
paid for according to their station in liz.
Inc parents usually give him the necessary
sum sum as soon as they can afford it, so that
the restriction is less calling than it seems
A wife purchase" varies from Ssoo Ia
Nlop IN proportln to the wealth of thu.
contracting families. for the marriage is
sum smaller amount is given To thu,
brides mother for her personal use.
AFTER the pecuniary arrangements have
been made by the proxies. the betrothaI
takes place on either a "Wednesday or
Thursday. Ii consists of the exchange Of
written pledges regarding the sum 10 be
and the household furnishings to be sup.
pned by the bride on the other
Rings there are blessed by the priest and
exchanged by the couple, the fancee kisses
the handS OF the guests assembled and re-
tires with her young friends to a feast pre-
pared in another room The young people
then dance outside the house and sing
The fances presents are then produced
and t-ieir value estimated by the father
of the bride. These consist of shoes, head
dress and necklace of coins SILVER belt
bracelets and other jewelry. The father
usually regards their value as Insufficient
probably to enhance his daughters worth
in her suffers eyes, and the lover adds coin
by coin until An agreement is reached The
marriage does not take place until six
months after the betrothal.
During the week preceding the day Set
for the wedding the house for the youn..
couple is furnished by the brides parents
Then her home is cleaned and whitewashed
and every hidden store brought out for
decoration. Cakes are made and sent
around as invitation cards, requesting the
recipient to- come TO the wedding on sun
day, the invariable wedding day The
articles composing the trousseau are huns.
up for inspection. on cords stretched across
the principal room. on Friday by the femi-
nine part of the community. on the follow
ing day two of the brides friends come 10
help her dress her hair. plating IL in mi
mute braids, not TO be undone until after
the ceremony. Then the village maids c,,me
with gifts of sweets and flowers and an sin
down on the floor TO dinner OF Vegetables
On Sunday the bride is seated In state I'm
all her gorgeous apparel. and with "A span
gled red veil over her face to he seen of
all the village folk. She wears all the or
uaments given by her nance and os
many more rs she Possesses. The religious
ceremony is that OF the Greek Church and
home of the bridegrooms father After lis
performances The party returns To the home
OF the bride < parents. where the wedding
feast is held. Singing and dancing follow
until time 20 escort the bride to her ne.s
home.