Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/334

316 is provided. When food is set before them, it is the duty of the sposo to feed his sposa with rice before all the people. After the meal, of which they generally partake heartily, fingerbowls are handed round, that each of the guests may wash his hands; after which the never-to-beforgotten betel-nut, &c, is distributed. All goes on merrily till midnight, when the bridegroom conducts his bride to her bed, drawing the curtains aside, and assisting her in. When he has seen her comfortably settled, he closes the curtains, and tucks them in, so as to exclude the mosquitoes; after which, retiring with the guests, he is not permitted to see his bride again until the middle of next day.

This temporary separation is instituted for two reasons: the first, that the lovers may have some time for a novel kind of courtship, as previous to their marriage they are frequently complete strangers to each other, all necessary arrangements