QUAINT MARRIAGE CUSTOMS

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1647, 14 January 1913, Page 2

QUAINT MARRIAGE CUSTOMS

.IN THE BALKANS. interesting facts concerning marriage customs in the Balkans were mentioned in a lecture delivered at Leeds by Mr. C, B. Howdill, a well-known York shire, architect, who has reoontly returned from a prolonged tour in the, Balkan States. In Macedonia, eaid Mr, Howdill, the old idea of the exchange of rings between an enpaged couple is oarriea out by a professional matchmaker, generally a woman. The exchange is a most serious affair, as sacred as marriage itself, and on ho acoount must it bo eot aside. A young man is generally expected to marry a girl from his own, village j when eho marries further afield in all probability sho. is'marrving one who is the hereditary foe of her own kith and kin. ; There is not the slightest doubt that much of the guerrilla warfare which has been carried out' during tho past two or three years on the Montenegrin frontier, added Mr. Howdill, is the result of theso ancient marriage oustoms, long since dead in civilised communities.

The Mirdiites,'a Catholio clan in' Northern Albania, resolutely refrain from marriage within their own tribe. The result is that, ai man: must look for a 'wife among neighbouring olahs, who are .often the hereditary enemies of his ownpeople, as the result of religious differences. It often .happens, therefore, that the Catholio'Mirdite must search for and successfully kidnap a Mohammedan maid, and as a general rule the wedding is preceded by a number of funerals. ' The average' Albanian girl has no objection to being kidnapped, but her kinsmen object to it strongly. Marriage by' capture provides the Albanian with food for a feud. He dearly loves a fight, and ho is quito ready to shod his own blood, but even more ready to shed that of his would•be son-in-law when it is a question of upholding tho honour of-his. tribe. . In Bulgaria wives are invariably obtained by purchase, the prioe paid to the bride's father averafring about «E3 (Turkish), as against tho £b whioh is paid for a cow in reasonable condition.

It is every woman's duty to learn tho hygieno of tho hair and skin. MisS Milsom's exclusive and up-to-date methods and preparations will win back the worst complexion and restore the poorest hair to its proper life and ■ energy. ThoßO whose hair and skin aro fading, oan restore them through Miss Milsom's expert knowledge, which she imparts, and the true preparations and; how to use thorn. Delightful face massage will removo wrinkles with the uso of "CULTENE" Skin Food (Regd.), tho coarsest and most withered 6kin will quiokly\ become' smooth and soft, Electrolysis, Hairdressing, taught. Grey hairs restored to natural colour. Shampooing, 'manicuring, clipping. Perfect Switches, Puffs, and Natural ' Hair-Pads, Transformations most natural.and lightest weight. Hairfood unsurpassed—euro dandruff and falling. hair. Personal, attention. Miss Milsom, King's Chambers (opp. Stewart Dawson's), Willis Street, Wellington, Telophono BH.*