AN AFGHAN WEDDING.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1416, 10 November 1885, Page 3

AN AFGHAN WEDDING.

The fixing upon a desirable match for their souk and is a source_ of constant anxiety in every Afghan family. Amongst the nobles political and tribal considerations chitfly determine the future of the daughter. But there is a class of women who make it their special business to negotiate marriages. These Mrs Qddaboutß are in the position of superior domestic servants or nurses, and are exceedingly ingenious and expert in the art of matchmaking. These female gossips rove from house to house and make themselves acquainted with the domestic affiirg of one family in order to convey them to another. They become familiar, by researches in zenanas, with the expectations and plans of anxious mothers for their marriageable sons and daughters. Everyone knows Hie object of their visits, but thene female matchmakers are absolutely necessary in the present secluded state of Mahommedan households. Sometimes, when two families ore about to negotiate a marriage between the son of one and the daughter of the other, an omen is consulted in the following manner : -Several slips of paper are cut up, and on half of them is written "To be," and on the other half " Not to be." These pieces of paper are then placed under a praying carpet, and after the liturgical form of prayer iB over, the anxious father devoutly raises his hands in prayer to God for guidance, and expresses his submission to the allwise decree of the Almighty in the matter of his son or daughter's marriage. Then, putting his hand under the carpet, he draws out a paper. If on it should be written "To be" he thinks the marriage is ordained of God ; it " Not to be" no overture or negotiation will be listened to. Sometimes, however, th. 9 interests of State, or the value of the dowry, or the termination of a long-standing blood feud, will induce the pious chieftain to put aside the omen as having been influenced by the powers of darkness ! The marriage day in a country like Afghanistan does not always pass off as happily and merrily as the proverbial marriage bell in England. An Afghan evangelist, Syud Shah, was on one occasion visiting his own Kativo hills of Kunar, when he suddenly came upon a field of battle. There were the chiefs and warlike youths of two contending villages fightino furiously. And on the side of the hill was placed the covered doolie or palanquin, with a couple of female attendants beside it. Inside was the bride. After the marriage ceremony had taken place some irregularity had been discovered, and the enraged villagers, headed by their chief, had followed the procession with the intention of capturing the bride. Hence the fight. To quote Syud Shah's words " they fought until midnight, and one man was killed." The marriage procession then went its way, and the terrified bride was carried off in victory.—Leisure Hour.