formerly in the future fathers-in-law seizing the tie-beam with the left hand, and taking each other’s right hand, with the formula, ked koshkek, “dry thy hand”. There is, however, only one Moksha village where all this is done.[1] Elsewhere they merely strike hands, without seizing the tie-beam.
The bride’s mother now sets on the table the loaf and salt-cellar, with which the guests had been met. Her father opens the salt-cellar with a knife, and, holding the latter above his head, utters the above-mentioned prayer, adding to it the name of Shkai. All present bow in silence, and raise their hands above their heads. He then holds up the loaf, and hands the knife to the bridegroom’s father, who, with three slashes, cuts off the “god’s portion”, and gives it, on the point of the knife, to the bridegroom, who first takes it into his hands, and then passes it to the bride’s father, who salts it, carries it on the point of the knife—under no circumstances in his hands—and places it under the threshold. The rest of the loaf is divided among those present, and the bridegroom must taste it first. After this, the provisions and spirits brought by the bridegroom’s party are laid on the table, all present sit down, and the feasting and drinking begin. The bride is not present; she is either sitting with her friends in another room, or is at some relation’s house. In course of time the bridegroom’s relations come to her to make her acquaintance, for many of them have not seen her before. She gives them presents, made by herself, to show that she is diligent and a good worker, and sends an embroidered handkerchief or a new shirt to the bridegroom, who must wear it, for the first time, on the wedding day. For these gifts her future parents-in-law kiss her, and the young man’s mother praises the bride for her intelligence and industry. If the bride and bridegroom are from the same village, the rela-
- ↑ Mainoff seems to have been under the impression that this is a genuine Mordvin custom, but I believe it must have been taken from, the Russians. See Ralston, Songs of the Russian People, p. 265.
