MARRIAGE IN TURKISTAN.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2550, 9 March 1877, Page 3

MARRIAGE IN TURKISTAN.

When a toy reaches the ago of fifteen or sixteen, or sometimes when he is even younger, his parents think it is time for him to get married, and look about them fora suitable match. ; Mesalliances are greatly disliked among the Sarts, and it is desired that the family of the bride should be equal to that of the bridegroom. A Hodja, or descendant of Mohammed, for example, can marry only a Hodja's daughter, and among those of good blood it is rare—for the first wife at least —that any great inequality of birth is allowed. Girls are considered marriageable between eleven and fifteen, and although, according lo the strict letter of the law, a girl of nine can be mai-ried, it is not well looked upon in Tashkent. ... • The mother, or sister or some female relative of the youth who is to be married, after having found what appears to be a suitable match, or at all events a girl who pleases the boy himself or his parents, goes to the girl'sfamily and discusses the advantages of marriage. The matchmaker is at once asked how much kalim will be given, and she in her turn is anxious to know the amount of the dowry, as it is desired that the kalim and dowry, should be nearly equal. _ It is commonly believed that the kah'm, or money given by the husband, goes to the father of the wife, and that it is in the na-

. ture of purchase money ; but tbis is riot correct; the kalim is given to the wife -^herself, and it remains her property, so that in theicase of divorce from her husband she may have something to fall back upon. When the friend of the young man has carefully looked at the bride and . found out all about her, she returns to the young man, and tells him . about the ap- ; pearance and manners, of his future wife. , After the presents have been given, and received, the wedding-day is fixed. The bride then gives a feast to her friends, andjthe young man also gives a feast to his comrades, each at their own houses. ..On the day of the marriage a grand feast ; is held at the house of the bride's family, all the friends and relations of both parties are invited, the women being in one court, and the men in the other. The Mullah from the nearest mosque, or in particular cases some distinguished saint or Ishan, is invited to perform the ceremony. The bride and bridegoom are not present at the actual marriage ceremony, which is conducted for them by their witnesses, who

arein all cases male relatives. The witness on the part of. the woman is her father or uncle, or some one of that generation, no other person being allowed to act for her without special power of attorney to that effect. If the bride should be a" slave—in those countries where slavery is allowed—it is her master who acts as her witness. The Mullah, who is in. the" same room with the witnesses, asks them if the persons whom they represent consent to marry each other, and then inquires what the kalim and dowry are, and if they have been properly given ; he then recites a prayer giving praises to the prophet and his descendant, draws up the marriage contract, and repeats a prayer which is placed at his head : " Praise to •God, who has allowed marriage, and has forbidden all adulterous crimes; let all heavenly and earthly existences praise Mohammed "and "his pure and honorable posterity." He then pronounces the words : "I have accomplished the marriage between a man and a woman, a woman and a man, according to the power given to me by their witnesses, and in accordance with the conditions set forth in this contract." Immediately after, he again says: " On behalf of the husband and wife I declare consent to this marriage according to the condition expressed in this contract." The Mullah and witnesses' then place their seals on the contract, ask the assistance of God,'and recite the fatha, or first chapter of the Koran. The marriage fee is given by the'husband, and cannot be demanded from fhe wife." The bridegroom then goes to the apartment of the bride, but; is met at the door by her brother or some relative, who does not permit him

"to enter until he gives him a piece of money or some small present. When he has succeeded, in obtaining admission he joins the bride and remains with her and all the other women. On his entering, the bride is concealed amidst a group of " women, among whom he must find her

hand before she can come put. As he has, perhaps, never seen her, -it is a somewhat' difficult; matter. When a feast is held it usually lasts all night; bonfires aref lighted, and; refreshments are servedi> „ The women go away in the morning, after having received their presents.■ .^Tbe feast of the men takes place in the. outer court, and they' stay there until fealf the night is passed, when they, receive their presents and retire. It is necessary at the same time also to give alms either to the mosque or to the poor persons. Xt any time the day after the busbahd is allowed to take his wife to his own home, if he has one, and this done, the,marriage is entirely consummated.— Eugene. Scnuyler's Book of Travels.