WHERE WIVES ARE SOLD.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 2, Issue 121, 3 April 1895, Page 3

WHERE WIVES ARE SOLD.

A remarkable custom exists-among tho Roumanians living in westerly Carpathians. Every year, at tho feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul, a market is held on tho crest of Gaina, from 5,000 to G,OOO feet above the level of the sea, and here all the marriageable girls of tho entire district assemble with theirparcnts. Mothers, aunts, grandmothers, and various other female friends contribute to tlie dowry, and this completed, it is carried on to the market, on tho Gaina, in neatly made trunks decorated with' (lowers carried by tho family's best horses. Cattle, bees, and other household requisites arc also added to the dowry. On the Gaina every family which has a marriageable daughter occupies a distinct tent, in which the dowry is exhibited, and in which the brideviewers are expected. The bachelors, too, are accompanied by parents or relatives, in whoso company they inspect tho girls who are eligible. Tho young men bring the best they possess, and each, most particularly, comes with a girdle of gold or silver. After tho brides are chosen the public bethrothal takes place, being conducted by a hermit who lives in tbis loDely spot. The maik of betrothal is not a ring, but a beautiful embroidered handkerchief. The betrothal is in many cases pre-arranged, but the ceiemony must bo gone through with ail tno same, if a giii goes to the market knowing beforehand that an admirer will be there to claim her, so much the better fnr ber. Still, she must take her dowry and occupy ber tent, and place herself cr view like the rest.