El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-04-03
Are BethrOthed In Infancy
Albanian Youths Must Marry Girls
Chosen For Them or Fight the
Mniden's Relatives.
By Madison c. Peters.

RATRIMONIAL alliances between
NJ Albanian families are regulated
= = with the most rigid observance
OF rank and precedence Children are
often btrothed before they are ten
years old and sometimes while they
are infants. But in such cases the
agreement is kept from the couple I'M
til the young man is in a position 10
marry
The object Of this custom is to keep
the Albanian youths from marrying in
the towns where they go for employ
ment A vendetta with the relatives
OF the rejected bride and social ostra-
cism would follow a young mans re-
fusal to marry the girl selected for
him. But such cases are rare, as (since
he has not seen the girD he can give
no objection to her However, should
this happen, the younger brothers and
sisters Of the girl may not marry until
her affair is settled
There are fewer women than men in
Albania: therefore no marriage pOr-
ton is required with the bride, but she
is practically bought from her father
or brothers for sum OF money which
varies according to the social rank OF
the families. AS with the Turks, the
betrothaL when the contracts are
drawn and signed by two witnesses,
constitutes the legal ceremony But
the bride does not leave her 1atherS
house until after the wedding festlvl-
ties, which take place any time from
few weeks TO a year after.
bridegroom Sends the ''Dunti-"
The festivities usually begin on
Thursday, when the bridegroom sends
the "dunti." which is a decorated box
containing the presents, TO the bride
various articles OF dress, ornaments
boots and shoes OF yellow leather, EN-
broidered with gold, a loaf Of sugar.
some coffee and other trifles- This IS
To-
tives Of the bridegroom and whose
parents must both be living
They are received with the greatest
respect, and as the "dunti" Is pre-
scented. all cry good luck Inc poys
are seated I'm the place Of honor, while
all the family OF the bride stand
Liquor and bonbOns are served, and IN
about an hour the boys depart
The same day the bridegroom's par
ents send a youth to invite the guess
for the following Monday At each
house he receives a present q q few
The brides family send their invita-
lions in the same way on Friday, and
on the same day the women assemble
10 help with the preparations and %
adorn the bride, who must silently
submit TO whatever they choose to Z
To her TO make her beautiful" she
Is bathed. scrubbed, massaged, her HAIR
and eyebrows dyed black and her hands
and feet stained red with henna-
Brides Garments Criticised.
On Sunday evening. decked in oil
her finery. she IS presented TO the
women OF the family, and the W9rk %
those who dressed her is openly cru
cised Later the father and brothers
enter. Falling at the.r feet the orlue
weeps and begs forsiveness Tor a., an
faults she has committed As th+
father raises her a chorus OF soos ana
cries from the company shows Ihet-
grief at the approaching separation
On Monday morning the homes q
both bride and groom are throased
with guests, each OF whom brings a
measure OF coffee and sugar and
GOLD coin for the bride These coins
are later made into necklaces
At early dawn the bride is dressed
and led 10 a corner or the principal
room. where custom requires her 10
stand motionless and speeches., eyes
downcasr and hands crossed on ner
breast until she starts for her new
nome. Two women stand on either
side to watch her. while the guests
seated around stare at her Al lnedt
times on this and the next two GAYS
she eats alone. covered with a veil
Ana In She wants to make a good i'm
preston she viii eat only when forced
TO- This is TO show sorrow at leaving
home.
About 10 o'clock a cart arrives rom
the BRIDEGROOM 10 get the brides bag
cage. and when IL starts the company
shouts good luck" A few minutes
later all the male guests Of the bride
Groom. preceded by his father. who
leads the home for the bride, set
forth from the house
In the courtyard coguac and various
sweets are passed around by servants.
Meanwhile the bride covered with
long cloak and veil. is led out sup
ported on each side as II infiru. and
hidden from every one by silk drap7
cries held on either side until she IS
seated on her horse.
The procession starts; first the hus-
bands guests. then the bride. her
horse led by q servant. one OF her
brothers on each side, the musicians !
and relatives and friends On leaving
home and at each street corner the
bride bows her head three times In
farewell
When her approach Is announced TO {
the women Of her husbands family
they welcome her with a song and the .
same care is taken when she dismounts .
as when she was placed on her horse
The women. pushing her gently, lead !
her. as II against her will, into the I
house. where she IS seated on cush- !
ions. After coffee has been served the l
guests deDart the oldest Of them say /
ine in a loud voice
Until now she belonged to God and Z
TO MS. Now and henceforth she be /
longs to YOU, and TO God, who wiz !
protect her"