A MOORISH BRIDE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 14, 2 April 1892, Page 321

A MOORISH BRIDE.

It was evening when we started off to a Moorish wedding, says a writer in the London Graphic. The gentlemen had to remain outside the house, as no man is permitted to look at a Moorish lady. We found ourselves in a short passage leading into the‘patie,’a square hall, around which the rooms are built. On one of the beds of the apartment sat the bride, tailor fashion, with a veil of checked muslin entirely enveloping her. This was presently raised and disclosed the lady to our view. She was a girl of 14 and, being very fat, was considered a beauty. Indeed, when nearing a marriageable age. it is common for girls to lie for weeks covered with warm blankets, passing their time in dozing and feeding on the fattening diet of milk (the native dish), oil, pease, or a certain bean supposed to be infallible as a fat producer. Her face presented the most extraordinary appearance, being painted white, with a delicate pattern in pale blue, yellow and black, on a three cornered patch of crimson on each cheek and chin. The eyebrows were indicated by a thick line of dense black, anil from the corners of the eyes, which were blackened, extended a fan shaped design in black to the top of the ears. The tips of her finger and toes were dyed terracotta with henna. Ayesha (so she was called) was clad in a gorgeous khaftan of red silk and gold brocade embroidered in gold reaching to her ankles. Her under garments were purecoloured brocade and her waistcoat green velvet and gold. Over the khaftan hung a light gauze garment, open down the front and confined by a band of gold and silk in many colours. Her head dress was composed of silk handkerchiefs, pinned round so as to show a narrow edge of each on the forehead. Above these came a band of black velvet, with a close design of seed pearls and emeralds. Her neck was encircled by many necklaces, principally strings of amethysts. While we were gazing at her we heard a cry in the patio, which was quickly taken up by the women in the bridal chamber. The bridal veil was immediately dropped, and the women assumed their helas—a long white woollen shawl. The reason of the commotion was the entrance of Ayesha's brother, a tall Moor in dark blue cloth djellabea and white turban. Draperies were dropped over the opening and Ayesha, in her cage, was hoisted on a mule at the door of her house. The procession then came, the bride's box being surrounded by twenty or thirty guards doing a wild, fantastic ‘ powder play ’ with their brasss or silvermounted guns. Tnen more candles and a long array of friends. In this way was the bride borne to her husband's house.