Year: 1875

In the more remote parts OF nor,
way, many of the old customs which
have fallen into disuse in the towns
and their environs, are still kept up
among the peasantry. Weddings are
events of great Importance, and the
occasions of much rejoicing among
the kinsmen and neighbors of the
happy couple. The village does its
utmost to celebrate the event with
quaint customs and curious orna-
ments.


1t was my good fortune to be in this
village of Odde, on the Sugna Fiord,
one Summer day when two substan-
tial peasants were united in wedlock.
The day before that fixed for the cere-
mony the guests began to arrive.
Stalwart men and sunburned maidens
came tramping down from the noun
tains or rowed up to the landing place
of the village from neighboring ham


let's, which nestled under the cliffs
on the ford. The men were clad in
blue homespun, and the women in
their ordinary rough and well worn
dresses. Each of the latter, however,
carried a brentwood box containing
her finery, and those who were mar
ried a spotless and we'll starched cap.
The boxes were gaudily painted in
red, green and yellow, and were orna-
mented, in addition, with the name
of the owner and the date of her birth.


Late in the afternoon the "flittin,n
as it is called in Scotland, took place.
The dowry of the bride-linen clothes
and household furniture-was piled
upon a cart Each box and article was
marked with the brides name, and
the date of her birth, and of her in
tended marriage. sTngerborg Marga-
len, June 13, 1850. Gift July 10, 1S74.n
Margalen means the daughter of Mar
gal, for it is in this Scriptural manner
that women are always, and men are
often, designated in Norway. When
the cart had been loaded, the bride
groom leading the horse, started in
the direction of his home, followed by
his future wife with q basket of cake
on her arm, and all the married
women of the village. None of the
actors in this little scene appeared to
enjoy themselves much, if one could
Judge of their feelings by their looks.
The members of this bridal party con-
sidered themselves engaged in very
serious business. Indeed, the process
sion, marching solemnly along with
downcast eyes, would have become
funeral better than it did the Begin
ming of wedding festival. The bride,
having distributed her cakes, and the
household effects having been safely
placed in the bridegroom's house, the
party broke up. During the evening
the young men and maidens amused
themselves in dancing the "Spring
dance" to the music of flutes and fid-
dies.


Next morning about IL o'clock we
were informed that the bridal party
were approaching. Having seated
ourselves on a stone wall by the road
side, we waited patiently for their ap-
pearance. At length we saw them
winding along the narrow road where
| it crossed the brow of a hill about half
a mile distant. First came the
bride and groom hand-in-hand,
passing slowly along, with downcast
eyes. About them were the men
of the place. After these came the
married women, and last of all the
girls and children of the village. The
little procession made a very pretty
appearance the white caps of the
women shining in the bright sunlight
and the red in their costumes making
brilliant contrast with their blue skirts
and the dark dress of the men. OF
course every one was in his or her
best, the bride being particularly no.
ticeable in her wedding finery.


On her head was gaudy crown, per-
haps twelve inches high, ornamented
with beads, bead-work and gold. A
band of bead-work and gold. A band
of bead work around her forehead
formed the base of the crown. From
this rose wires, covered with red
thread, supporting circle of golden
lozenges measuring about two inches
from point to point. Above these loz-
enges the wire spread out until the
circumference of the crown at their tips
became twice as great as that of the
band about the head. From the tips
of these were suspended strings of
large white, red and blue beads, about
four inches long, ending in a little
plate of so-called gold. The brides
hair was combed down her back, and
over it lay three broad ribbons covered
with bead-work. From the brides
neck scarf, stiff with embroidery and
bead-work, hung down almost to the
ground. Her hands were hidden
except when the groom had possession
of one of them-in sort of muff of
embroidered muslin, with an edge of
open work. The rest of her costume
consisted of dark blue homespun
skirt, over which hung white apron,
a white skirt of not very fine material
and close-fitting sleeveless vest of
brilliant red stuff, cut low in front to
show the silver filagree breastpin and


other ornaments in the bosom of the
shirt. The lower part of the shirt
bosom, however, is usually covered by
a band of bead-work, the various col
ored beads of which form a sort of loz-
enge pattern. The bridegroom and
the other men wore suits of dark blue
homespun, which, although not pecu-
liar or attractive, formed a good back
ground for the brilliant colors of the
women's dress.


The other women of the party wore
white shirts, red or green bodices, and
blue skirts cut exactly like the brides.
The head-gear was by far the most
striking part of the women's dress, and
is the badge which distinguishes the
married from the single. The unmar-
ried girls wore their hair in two long
plaits, tied together at the end with
ribbons. AS they usually have very
ugly shaped heads, this is not very
becoming fashion, and it is perhaps
for this reason that the matrsns con-
denim them to this severe simplicity,
while they cover their own heads with
tremendous caps. This cap is snow
white, and is starched and fiuted with
the greatest care. In front it is not
fiuted, and resembles a small poke
bonnet fitting close to the head.
On the crown there is an immense
bow, the ends of which are fastened to