Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 21, 1910.djvu/319

 Marriage Customs of the Bedii and Fellahm. 281

A rider against the mob of Arabs

At mid-day, the middle of the noon-rest. \i.e. attacks them when they are most alert.] ^

On the eve of the wedding-day the bridegroom is seated before a small tent, generally new, to receive the offerings of his friends, for which the " friend of the bridegroom " gives thanks. The bride meanwhile is arrayed by her mother, and, when all is ready, she is led forth upon a camel, her maternal uncle on the saddle behind her, — she crying all the time " O my father ! O my brother ! " This is now a mere conventionality, but may have originated in real fear or anxiety, the presence of the mother's brother having originally been intended to prevent flight. When she reaches the bridegroom's tent, the remaining portion of the bride-price is handed over. Then a sacrifice is brought, and killed at the tent door, the bridal pair being sprinkled with the blood. This is the religious act which makes them man and wife. During the bustle which follows while the offering is being prepared for the feast, the bride seizes the moment to escape into the desert, where she hides herself for a longer or shorter time according to her temperament and inclination. The husband must seek her out, taking with him food and water. For at least six days he alone knows of her hiding place ; in some tribes she is hidden for as much as half a year. Not to fly directly after the sacrifice would be considered shameless, and her children would be born cowards.

On returning to the camp her first act is to go with her friends to the well to wash her husband's clothes. It is now her turn to receive presents, which remain her inalienable property. She also receives a lamb, which she herself slaughters and consumes with her friends. She

'•'These two songs are from Spoer and Haddad, Manual of Palestincan Arabic etc., p. 177.

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