Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 1, 1890.djvu/432

426 and on that account renounced his engagement. The matter came before the court, which sentenced him not only to pay costs, but also an additional ten roubles to the girl for spreading a scandalous report about her, and further, to receive twenty strokes with a rod, “that he might learn henceforth not to calumniate a girl.”

§ 4. The wedding carouse, proksimme, or “hand-striking”, forms one of the most essential features in the whole series of marriage customs, as the match is now finally ratified, and Makarius states expressly that, after it, the young man passes every night beside his bride. The period at which it takes place varies. According to Makarius, the Erza of Nizhegorod held it three days before the wedding, which did not take place for two or three years after the wooing, all which time was spent by the bride in preparing a trousseau for herself; but generally it seems to take place either simultaneously with the negotiations about the kalym, as recorded in §2c, or when these are definitely settled.

On the day of the carouse there is first a gathering of the bridegroom’s relations and friends at his father’s house. When the guests have arrived, the proceedings of the day are begun with a prayer to Chim Paz, the sun-god: “O father Chim Paz, bless a good business, grant good luck, grant many children.”

The “god’s portion” is then offered, and a little brandy is spilt under the threshold. After this, the whole party, with a supply of pies and spirits, starts for the home of the bride-elect with much jubilation and singing. If her parents, who have received information beforehand of the coming of the match-makers, are inclined to the project, they either drive out by the horse-gate to meet them, or they meet them at the gate with bows, while carrying in their hands bread and a salt-cellar. All then enter the common room. The young man’s father is again placed in the seat of honour, and, when everything is accurately agreed to, they begin to strike hands. This ceremony consisted