to adorn the bridegroom's wrist, thus signifying that they are now bound to each other. The bridegroom's father then kills an ox, the skin of which is given to the bride's mother. The feasting and merry-making continue yet another day, after which the bridegroom's procession returns home, and from then for a period of from one to three months the bridegroom continues to herd his father's cattle, and life goes on much as usual, except that the father and mother set about preparing their son's future home. At length the bride sets out for her new home, accompanied by two girl friends and two old women. On leaving home she must not say good-bye to her parents, nor must she speak or look back until she reaches her husband's village. To look back would show regret and be an insult to her lord. Silence is enjoined, because her first words must be her greeting to her husband. As a rule a number of girls accompany her part of the way, laughing and singing and doing all in their power to make her speak or look back.
When the party are well within sight of the bridegroom's home the old women seat themselves on the ground, and decline to proceed until some suitable gift has been presented to them. This generally takes the form of a sheep or goat. As soon as the sun sets the bride enters the village and is conducted to her mother-in-law's hut. She and her four companions must remain silent, nor must they accept any refreshment until the bridegroom's father has offered them a portion of roasted sheep. Numbers of wedding guests assemble, and feasting and singing continue all night. In the morning the bride's friends return home. Meanwhile the bridegroom endeavours by every means in his power to see and speak to his wife, but on no account must others see him near the hut during the month which follows, consequently he creeps round the scherm[1] when-
- ↑ Scherm, the fence bounding the enclosure round the hut. It is made of reeds strapped together with grass-rope, and is generally in the shape of a semicircle. A reed door in the middle admits into the interior.
