PURCHASING A BRIDE.

Bush Advocate, Volume IX, Issue 796, 24 June 1893, Page 6

PURCHASING A BRIDE.

Bride-purchase is a custom whioh haß been, at Borne tim© or otber, practised almost all over the world ; and wherewe do not find it still in nil its ancient, force we frequently find the relics of it. As, in the progress of civilisation, the bonds of the family aie drawn tighter, the power of the fathw over Mb children increases, and that of the more distant kinsfolk decreases. The substantial price in suoh cases is paid to the parent, and the other kinsmen are recognised only by a smaller, frequently a nominal, present. Lastly, the gifts on both sides are transformed into a dowry for the bride and into wedding presents intended for the behoof of the happy conple. In various nations the application of the marriage gifts is found iv all stages of transition, from the rudest bargain and sale up to the settlements so dear to English lawyers, and the uselesß toys which the resources of the newest culture enable us to bestow upon our friends on these interesting occasions, to assist their EAKLY EFFORTS IN HOUSEKEEPING. The examples following are drawn, of course, from conditions of barbarism when purchase prevails, or when survivals of its former practice have not yet been all _ swept away. Incidentally we shall find evidence, even outside the contribution on the one hand, and the payment on the other, of the wido extent of kindred whose assent is neoessary in early stages of civilisation. Among the Osages a youth is not required to consult his parents in a love affair ; but the consent of his elder brother, if he have one, or his uncle, is the first condition of proceeding in it. Having obtained this pre- J liminary approval the rest of the family are informed of bis intention. He then takes a number of horses and ties them in front of the maiden's wigwam. This is equivalent to v formal proposal, and the damsel's eldest brotheb, or uncle, is the first to ba informed of it. If he approve the match he accepts the horses and distributes them among the members of the family. The Osages are still, ox were when the account was written on which this statement was founded, in the state of society where the husband enters the wife's family and becomes its head. The Omahas, another North American tribe, have passed into the stage where the wife goes to reside with her husband and his family. A wooer is not obliged to give presents to others than the parents, but often does ; and after marriage there is a custom now avowing obsolete for the husband's kindred to collect gifts whioh are sent by the wife's hand to her kindred, who are thereupon entertained by her father at a feast, and the gifts distributed. A year or bo later presents are sometimes made in return. _ Among the Hidatsas a wooer has to show himself LIBERAL IN HIS PRESENTS among the bride's relations, though the gifts are generally returned in due course if he prove a kind husband. In order to win a Seminolo maiden the suitor has to prove to her . uncles and auntß that he is a good hunter, Thia is done by supplying them with a quantity of bear's oil and venison. It is they and the lady's brothers who have the disposal — always, however, with her own oousent — of her hand ; and the father has no voice in the matter. Among the Peguenches and Patagonians the bridegroom must satisfy the bride's kindred with his offerings — not always an eesy task, especially where the number is considerable. Turning to Africa, we find that the Kroomen of Liberia BUT A>'D SELIi THEIR WOMKX | and the price of a stirl is distributed between the relations of her father and those of her mother. On the opposite side of the continent, where, with Mohammedanism, a somewhat higher degree of oivilisation haß been reached, the payment for a Somali maiden forms her marriage portion. It is arranged, we are told in vague language, by her relations — an expression including many besides the immediate parents. No doubt in more primitive times the persons who fixed the payments were the ones who received it. The customß of various Turanian peoples point similarly to the need of obtaining the consent of the general body of the bride's kinsmen. A bride* groom of the Paharias of Bajmahal is required to present not only a turban and a rupse to his f ither-in-law and a piece of cloth and a rupee to his motner-in-law, but also to several of the nearest relations. Striking are the oeremouiea performed by two of the northern branches of this widespread race. After the purchase money has been agreed upon, but before it is pad, among the Kirghis the BRIDEGKOOJI IS ALLOWED TO VISIT THE BRIDE. This is dona by some tribes with great formality. The young man presents himself first to the oldest member of hie bride's family, and asks permission to pitch hiß tent at the encampment. " This request being granted he distributes presents amonest the members of the family, and begs them to use their efforts in persuading the bride to pay him a visit in his tent. Ab sucoess always crowDS their efforts, the bride makes her appearaueo in the tent, where the yOnng couple are loft alone. They are now bjund to each other, and neither can withdraw from the mutual obligation they have contracted without being exposed to the vengeance of the injured party." Further presents are given to the relatives on the formal celebration of tbe marriage AITDR THE ITBCHASE-MOXEY HAS BEEN PAID. Among- tho tribes of Turkestan, after the payment of the purchase-money to the father, each party is represented by two witnesses at the wedding ceremony, and a mollah is employed to legalise the contruct. All goes on smoothly until "the bride's witnesses suddenly raise some objection, preteading that they are unwilling to deliver up the brido who is entrusted to their keeping, unless some suitable present is offered for renounoinjr, on their part, the , great treasure placed in their enstody." Nor I oan the marriage proceed until they are satisfled. The same part is played in Central Europe by the Wendish bridesmaids. The bride .••-waita her bridegroom sittioc at a table by herself. When his prooession arrives, his master of tho ceremonies advances to the table and begs her politely to follow him to the wedding. The bridesmaids interfere, and refuse to give her up without being paid for it : they must have the WHOLE TABLE FULL 01? GOLD ! After an amount of haggling, whioh depends on tho peraimsivo powers of the damsels and the wealth of the bridegroom, they are at length satisfied ; and somotitnes the business is not concluded until a considerable sum ha been paid. — "Asiatic Quarterly."