“blessing” (a candle); hops thrown over her by woman [in fur coat, worn inside out]. 14. Bride introduced to stove;[1] mother-in-law gives her pure. 15. Guests eat and drink; bride carried out and shoved into nuptial outhouse [with the words, “Here, wolf, is a lamb[2] for thee”]; bridesmaid brings in omelette and spirits; couple left alone for half-an-hour. 16. Couple brought back to common room, and offer spirits to guests [bride bows to ground and requires each to bless her].
Wedding-day (Moksha). § 7a.—1. Assembly at bridegroom’s of his relations. 2. Prayer to Shkai. 3. Bridegroom cuts off “god’s portion” for fire-god. 4. Father blesses son [with loaf, salt, omelette, and picture]. 5. Start for bride’s home [bridegroom stays at home,[3] and hides]. 6. Prayer to the gates, and imprecations against evil spirits. 7. Received at bride’s with insulting songs; gates
- ↑ De Gaya (op. cit., p. 15) mentions that in Poland part of the marriage ceremony consisted in leading the bride thrice round the fire.
- ↑ The designation of the bride as a lamb is, perhaps, of Slav origin (see above p. 443, note), or suggested itself as an antithesis to wolf. Though the Mordvins have no legend relating to their supposed origin from a wolf, so far as I am aware, several Turkish stocks derive themselves from a she-wolf (Deguignes, Hist, générale des Huns, i, pt. 2, p. 371); and the Hoeike Turks believed themselves descended from the union between a he-wolf and a Hunnish princess of great beauty, who had been shut up in a tower (Deguignes, ii, p. 2). It is just possible the Mordvins once held some such belief, which has only survived in this formula.
- ↑ In some parts of Russia the bridegroom accompanies his friends to the bride’s house; in others, he remains at home (Ralston, p. 277). With the Letts, the bride’s cortège and that of the bridegroom proceed independently to church, and meet at the altar (Kohl, p. 381). With the Cheremis, the bridegroom accompanies the party to fetch the bride (Georgi, Descrip., i, 37). When the bridegroom stays at home, it is, perhaps, to be more certain of anticipating the bride at church, for if a Slovene bride contrives to reach the church-porch before the bridegroom, she hopes to enjoy a life-long supremacy over him (Ralston, p. 303).
