224 MARRIAGE CEREMONIES AND CUSTOMS. the fact, both among the Jews and Arabs; and the presentation of a slipper to the party who becomes the future husband, is the symbol still in use, even as in the days of the ancient Hebrews. We are assured that the Bedoueen Arabs adhere to the custom of claiming the wife of a deceased brother, and that although not actually compelled to accept him, she seldom refuses; for they consider, that by such a match, the family property is kept together. A man has also an exclusive right to the hand of his cousin he is not obliged to marry her, but she cannot unite herself with another without his consent. The religious portion of the marriage ceremony is very short. A priest is advertised that a wedding is to take place; the parties assemble together with the friends, but not in a mosque. The priest simply asks if they are content to marry-fresh presents are offered, and the sum of money to be paid is stated to the priest. The lady is not allowed to answer questions for herself, as it is supposed she might say something wrong; but one of the male relatives answers for her she is closely veiled during the whole ceremony, (so the deceit of passing off an elder daughter, may be easily accomplished,) and the right hand of this sponsor, or "friend of the bridegroom," is tied with the right hand of the husband.† The priest then offers an address, quite unconnected with religion; for marriage is regarded as a very trifling matter, entirely of worldly institution-a thing of no moment; and the transaction is generally over in a quarter of an hour. The parties then go away, and the day is spent in merriment. When the ceremony See the Book of Ruth, iii. iv., also the writings of Burckhardt, Lane, Burder, Maltby, Wilkinson, and Taylor. + John, iii. 29. THE HAREM!-SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. 225 of a wedding is ended, the new married pair do not retire together, but the bridegroom goes to the mosque to pray, as usual, and the bride is taken whence she came. The husband then gives a dinner to his friends, but he is not obliged to be present himself. He goes at eight o'clock at night, to fetch his wife; he finds her attired in her best, supported on each side by females. To each of these he makes a present, and also one to his wife, to induce her to lift her veil.* The attendants retire and leave them together. If his blushing spouse has been married before, he does not again quit her, but she is conducted to his house in greater or less state; but if she be still a virgin, he entrusts her to the care of her mother, until the expiration of seven days, during which time, she undergoes various ceremonies and ablutions, agreeably to the custom of the country her husband is also admitted as a member of the "harem,"† and he comes to see her as often as he will, but she is not delivered finally to him, until after seven days! In some instances, as the bride passes under the arch of her paternal roof, the friends. shower a quantity of parahs or other coins upon her head, which are intended for her use. There is always a great deal of feasting, both before and after a wedding, and considerable expenses are indulged in by all classes, on such occasions. Many allusions are made to the subject in the Sacred Writings; and the * Psalm, xlv. 14. Matth. xxv. 6. + I have already said that the "harem" comprises all the members of a family, male as well as female. These, in Persia, take the name of "Purdeh Nisheens," literally, "sitters behind the curtain,"-for the poorest man has his harem, and if he possess but a single room to live in, it is divided into two parts by a curtain, if he can afford nothing better; so that those who visit the male portion of the family, do not interfere with the females. In some parts, especially among the Druses, these ceremonies are performed before marriage. VOL. I. 226 66 high estimation in which wedding-feasts were held in former days, is there conspicuously set forth. Our Saviour himself speaks of it, and by personally attending one of these convivial meetings, not only sanctioned the ordinance of matrimony, but taught us that it is possible to be religious without being austere.* Our Lord is also described as being married to the Church, and in the course of His ministry upon earth, reproves the Pharisees and others, by reminding them of the established customs of the Jews. "When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room," &c.† This refers to the nature of the entertainment. The terraces and the upper rooms of Oriental dwellings are always the most agreeable, and are, of course, the most prized, as the people love to enjoy a fine prospect in the open air; thus, the houses are built with courts, and there is generally a flight of stone steps leading from them up the face of the building to the roof, on that account. At festive meetings these apartments are usually given up to the "most worthy," and in the present day, when persons open their doors to a great number of people, even to strangers, in testimony of their joy, it would be thought very presumptuous if any one of the guests, unasked, selected one of the "upper rooms." Europeans should bear in mind that in the East, there is not the same free intercourse which we are accustomed to; the females are placed where they can enjoy their privacy with their children, and yet take a part in the hilarity of the meeting; moreover, they sometimes remain several days in the house, and must be taken care of. Again, it is usual, at least among "WEDDING GARMENTS"-CROWNS-THE BIBLE. 227 the rich, for changes of linen to be placed at the disposal of all the guests, as also robes of honour, or as we read, "wedding garments." Great families are generally provided with a supply of these; and it would be thought a premeditated affront, if any one, knowing the custom, presumed to appear without one. The parable referred to in St. Matthew and St. Luke, is therefore easily understood.* The ornaments worn by females at a wedding do not differ much from those which are prized at other times. They consist of bracelets and rings, and embroidery in gold and silver tissue, more or less enriched with precious stones. The bride is generally crowned with a crown of embossed thread, and flowers-those who cannot afford more costly materials, introduce shells, beads, or pieces of gold coin-and the crown is preserved through life, to be used again on the solemn occasion of their death, when, as I have said, the corpse is decorated with flowers, perfumed, and crowned with a garland. All this is in direct confirmation of what we read in the Bible, and we cannot move a step in these countries, without being reminded of events which are there recorded. The marked favour of the Almighty to the people of Zion is admirably illustrated by Ezekiel, who speaks of the Holy City as of a female whose renown went forth among the heathen for her exceeding beauty and prosperity; and he describes her as one that was bedecked with ornaments, girded about the loins with fine linen and silk, anointed with oil, having bracelets upon her hands, ear-rings in her ears, "a jewel on her forehead, and a beautiful crown upon her head." The Royal Psalmist has, in like manner, Matth. xxii. 11.-Luke xiv. 21. + Ezekiel xvi. 9 to 16. 228 THE ARAB AND NUBIAN CHARACTER. compared the majesty and grace of Christ's kingdom to the comeliness and exquisite perfection of female beauty, as exhibited in the virgin daughters of princes, when attired in "raiment of needlework," and in "clothing of wrought gold," whose garments "smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia," and who are "all glorious within," and "full of purity and love."* There is, in general, a great difference between the conduct of a Nubian and an Arab, in the case of a woman proving unfaithful to her husband. The former proceeds immediately to violence against one or both parties; the latter says only to the woman, "you have now broken the contract or covenant, and you are no longer my wife." He leaves her, or in other words, "casts off his shoe!" Of the jealous disposition and wrath of a Nubian, in reference to love affairs, we had a very fair specimen during our journey. It so happened, that when we were travelling in Upper Egypt, our crew were all Nubians, and the Reis had his wife on board. She was an Arab, and had formerly been the wife of the Reis of another Cand'gia, then in the service of two French gentlemen whom we met at Thebes. One night, a violent affray ensued between the two men, which might have terminated very seriously, but for the interference of the bystanders. It seems that the former husband ventured to speak with his "old acquaintance," which being perceived by the Nubian, so excited his jealousy, that his countenance instantly betrayed the inward feelings of the man; and although really timid, his eye flashed, he knit his brow, and cast towards his antagonist a * Psalm xlv. There are many other similar passages to these. The sweetness and harmony of nature are continually referred to in glowing terms; and in Eastern climes, it is still the custom of the rich to fumigate the apartments with highly fragrant and expensive gums. |