MAKRIAGE
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MARRIAGE
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Mohammedan Bridal Proccssiou.
ures ; amen :" after which all present repeat the same chapter. It is not always the same form that is recited on these occasions : any form may be used, and it may be repeated by any person ; it is not even necessarj', and is often altogether omitted. The contract concluded, the bridegroon) sometimes (but seldom unless he be a person of the lower orders) kisses the hands of his friends and others there present ; and they are presented with sherbet, and generally remain to dinner. Each of them receives an embroidered handkerchief, provided by the family of the bride. Before the persons assembled on this occasion disperse, tliey settle upon the night wlien the bride is to be brought to the liouse of the bridegroom, and the latter, for the tirst time, is to visit her.
In general, the bridegroom waits for his bride about eight or ten days after the conclusion of the contract. Meanwhile he sends to her, two or three or more times, some fruit, sweetmeats, etc. ; and perhaps makes her a present of a shawl, or some other article of value. The bride's family arc at the same time occupied in prepar- ing for her a stock of houseliold furnitiu-e and dress. The portion of the dowry which lias been paid by the bridegroom, and generally a much larger sum (the addi- tional money, which is often more than the do\rr3' itself, being supplied by the bride's family), is expended in purchasing the articles of furniture, dress, and ornaments for the bride. These articles are the property of the bride, and, if she be divorced, she takes them away with her. She cannot, therefore, with truth be said to be purchased. The furniture is sent, commonly borne by a train of camels, to the bridegroom's house. Often among the articles is a chair for the turban or head- dress. There are sometimes sent two of these chairs, one for the husband and the other for the wife. The bridegroom should receive his bride on tlie eve of Fri- day, or that of Monday; but the former is generally es- teemed the more fortunate period. During two or three or more preceding nights the street or quarter in which the bridegroom lives is illuminated with chandeliers and lanterns (q. v.). An entertainment is also given on each of these nights, particularly on the last night before that on which the wedding is concluded, at the bridegroom's house. On these occasions it is customary for the per- sons invited, and for all intimate friends, to send pres- ents to his house a day or two before the feast which they purpose or expect to attend : tliey generally send sugar, coffee, rice, wax candles, or a lamb; the former articles are usually placed upon a tray of copper or wood,
and covered with a silk or embroidered kerchief. The guests are entertained on these occasions bj^ musicians and male or female singers, b)' dancing girls, or by some other performance.
On the preceding Wednesday (or on the Saturday if the wedding is to conclude on the eve of Monday), at about the hour of noon, or a little later, the bride goes in state to the bath. In general the tirst persons among the bride's party arc several of her married female rela- tions and friends, walking in pairs, and next a number of young virgins. The former are dressed in the usual manner, covered with the black silk shawl ; the latter have white silk shawls. Then follows the bride, walk- ing under a canopy of silk, of some gay color, as pink, rose-color, or yellow, or of two colors composing wide stripes, often rose-color and yellow. It is carried by four men, by means of a pole at each corner, and is open only in front ; and at the top of each of the four poles is attached an embroidered handkerchief. The dress of the bride during this procession entirely conceals her person. She is generally covered from head to foot with a red shawl, or with a white or yellow shawl, though rarely. Upon her head is placed a small paste- board cap or crown. The shawl is placed over this, and conceals from the view of the public the richer articles of her dress, her face, and her jewels, etc., excepting one or two ornaments, generally of diamonds and emer- alds, attached to that part of the shawl which covers her forehead. She is accompanied by two or three of her female relations within the canopy ; and often, when in hot weather, a woman, walkmg back^vards be- fore her, is constantly employed in fanning her with a large fan of black ostrich feathers, the lower part of the front of which is usually ornamented with a piece of looking-glass. Sometimes one procession, with a single canopy, serve§ for two brides, who walk side b}' side. The procession moves very slowly, and generally pur- sues a circuitous route, for the sake of greater displa}-. On leaving the house it turns to the right. It is closed by a second part}' of musicians, similar to the first, or by two or three drummers. The whole bath is sometimes hired for the bride and her part}- exclusively. They pass several hours, seldom less than two, occupied in washuig, sporting, and feasting ; and frequently female singers are hired to amuse them in the bath : they then return in the same order in which they came. Having returned from the Ijath to the house of her family, the bride and her companions sup together. If singers have