Page 334 - Neglected Arabia Vol 2

12 NliCUiCTlW ARABIA

then returning downed dry dollies like the ones he removed. A prie.il by
some formula sanctified a piece of myrtle and put it in the buttonhole of
his gown. Some river water with raisins in it was given him to drink
(trom an old ink bottle). Then midst dancing and shouting he, too,
was led home.
Within the courtyard of the groom’s house had been erected a booth
of reed framework covered on top and partially on the sides with curtains.
Here the groom sat and all the men waited in the courytard for the
"mu’minin” to come. We entered the bride’s room where the women
gradually gathered. At one end of the rather bare room was a silk-
covered mattress on the floor with a bed net suspended over it. Within
this purdah sat the bride, her back to the guests, but facing a mirror on
the Hour beside which was the lighted lantern. A dish of "asida,” flour
sugar and fat cooked together, was put in the basket with her clothing.
Near the purdah the young girls, dressed in bright colors, sat close together
and led ihe singing, accompanying it with native drums while the women f
clapped their hands in ryliimn to the music. A wee girl of lour, named
Thraiya, danced with great grace for their entertainment. She was very
serious, but eager to perform, and would dance till dizzy. t hie or two
women also danced. It was an occasion of real merriment and pleasure.
Finally the three “mu’minin” arrived and sat in the booth with the
groom. After them entered “the father” or agent for the bride, also in
baptismal gown. As the groom and "the father” sat facing each other
they ela&ped right hands and each repeated the words the priest gave hint.
The priest took a jug of water, entirely covered with a clean cloth, and
poured water over the groom’s head. Five hard mud cakes were set
before the groom. Fach contained two pieces of bread purified by the
priest, 'flic groom ate part of a piece and then sent the rest to the bride.
It was carried under "the father’s” arm that no hand might touch it. The
bride must take and taste it. This part of the ceremony is in order that
the man will hereafter remember to provide for his wife when he provides |
for himself. The baskets of the bride’s and of the groom’s clothing were
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brought before the priests and the two were mixed together (this is not
always done). The priest added myrtle and a herb called “shamoom,” laid
two priest sticks over the basket, which was then carried back to the bride |
midst shouts of joy. g
The group in the booth now rose. The green veil of the bride was ^
brought and tied around the groom’s waist, leaving one long end which 1
the priest grasped and thus led him to the bride. After certain words
from the priest at his signal the hoy who had been baptized broke an
empty water jar at the entrance of the booth, lie threw it with force onto
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the hand-mill placed for that purpose. 'Phis was supposed to let out any
evil that was present. The mill was then put before the door of the
bride’s room. There was quite a discussion as to whether the matting on
the ground needed to lie removed first. One “mu’min” said it did not ;-
matter, but the other said it was not permitted, so they removed it. The
signal was given and the second jar was broken. This event seemed to
cause much amusement to the crowd, the child officiating making real
sport of it.