A BOER'S WOOING.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 48, 20 November 1907, Page 3

A BOER'S WOOING.

Amongst the manners and customs pecull- - to the South African Boer noue create

moro amusement in the breast of the strangor, says a writer in the "Field," than those relating to courtship and matrimony. And the most recognised institution of courtship is the "opzitting," or "sitting-up. ' The Boer believes in oarly marriages unci large families. Whilst resident under the paternal roof, however long ago he may have r<i.cK'ed the yoars of discretion, ho is looked u]icn as a child, and as subject to the aut'i oiity of his parents. Once married, and wit'i a house, or even a hovel, of his own, his status as a grown-up man is universally recognised. Moreover, old maids or old bachelors are very seldom seen amongst tho rural population. When they do occur, they arn looked upon as eccentrics, to be pitied, if not Widows or widowers do not long' mourn the late departed in single blessedness, but after a period of three or sixmonths take a now spouse. In fact, not to do so is looked upon by the community as the reverse of a compliment to the marital qualities of the defunct. Consequently tho youthful Boer marries at 16 or upwards ■ as soon, indeed, as lie has passed his examination at the hands of his pastor and become a full-fledged member of the. church. As to this.extreme youthfulnoss is generally added the innate gaucherio of the rustic, it stands to reason that the progress of his courtship is a source of intense- amusement to the onlookers.

The would-be Benedict may find his inamorata on the adjoining farm, or he may bo lured a day's ride away by the reputed charms or possessions of a distant fair one. Mounting his cherished "vrij-paard," an ■ animal which combines much arching of ueck and tossing of head with that pace beloved of South Africans, the easy triple or amble, and with a luxuriant growth of mane and tail, our wooer sets forth. He wears his best pak, or suit of clothes, and his saddle-cloth is of Oriental magnificence of colour. Should the lady tako his fancy and she should not discourage his advances, the parental guardians are consulted, and, if the suitor bo considered satisfactory, leave is granted to tho young couple to "opzit." Mounted as aforesaid an his gorgeous steed, the young man rides up at the evening hour amongst the delighted giggles of the younger members of the family. After polite conversation, and taking of the inevitable coffee, the superfluous relations retire, and the lovers arc left to pursue their wooing in peace in tho zitkamer, or parlor;They are entrusted with an unused tallow dip, which is to define the duration of their dream'of bliss. When the candle is burnt out the couple are under strict injunctions to separate, and seek their respective couches, and woo betide the youth who is the cause of an infraction of these unwritten rules. The experienced wooer, however, knows ways of carefully nursing the life of that precious candle, and even of lengthening its existence by temporary extinguishing. "Opzitting" by no means indicates a state of .hard and fast engagement, and not every opzitting ends in marraige. But, in caso of that happy consummation, the stranger will 1)3 able to obtain much pleasure by attending, as an invited guest, a typical Boer wedding. Every guest is expected to salutn tm> bride with a loving kiss, and should tho restivites conclude with a danco, he will admire the enduranco of the mcisjes. Dancing will bo kept up vigorously in tho sweltering voorhuis to tho strains of a seemingly tireless concertina. As the floors of many of these dwellings aro composed of hardened mud and the stretching of wagon snis, well greased, over them is the general preparation, for dancing, it can bo imagined that the "going" is not easy. Naturally, tastes and customo differ according to the rcfincmcis and wealth of the varying'classes, and there are many households whero ithe- "opzitting" custom does not prevail.