288 Marriage Customs of the Bedu and Fella kin.
the way, and the purchases are brought home in gaily painted chests upon the head of one or other of the company in turn, with songs and rejoicing, the women announcing the occasion by the zagJiareet}'^ a trilHng cry
embroidered by her own hands. Even amongst Christians in some of the convent schools these beautiful handicrafts are encouraged. I obtained the following estimate from a bride in Beit Jala : Silk robe, 50 francs ; embroidered jacket, 50 fr. ; "abbai (mantle), 25 ; sash, 6 ; shatwe (headdress), 10 ; veil, 30 ; total, 171 fr. (nearly £"]). This does not include silver ornaments for head, neck, wrists, fingers, and possibly ankles, nor the decoration of her headdress, which consists of the coins received from her father, husband, and friends, pierced and strung in rows. Such a headdress weighs from 8 lbs. upwards, and is worn night and day. The coins are never removed, except in case of real necessity, nor have I ever heard of a woman being robbed of them.
12 The following are examples of the zaghareei, (Spoer and Haddad, Mavual of Palestinean Arabic etc., p. 176) : — For the bridegroom : —
Aeeee. O N.N., O rose upon a tree !
Aeeee. O Prince, O son of princes !
Aeeee. And I have prayed the Lord of Heaven that wealth come to thee
by trading. Aeeee. Mayest thou rule, and prescribe, and receive the Wazirs ! L6olool6olee ! For the bride : —
Aeeee. O lady, O N.N., mankind has not borne the like of you !
Aeeee. O Gillyflower opened in a glass !
Aeeee. O Thou with whom is God and Chadr abool-'^ahds \i.e. St.
George, patron saint of the demented]. Aeeee. O Those who protect you against the eyes of man \i.e. the evil eye]. Loolooloolee. For a bridegroom and bride who are orphans : — Aeeeee. O dish of mulberries Aeeee. Upon whom the spiders have rested. Aeeee. O God, may He protect the children who are orphans, Aeeee. Who have grown up and built houses. Loolooloolee. Song when making the wedding cake : —
1. I am going and returning to my fatherland, The virgins met me in the valley.
They said to me good-day, {lit. health] O camel-driver,
Thy camels are from Aleppo,
Their halters are silken and beautiful.
2. I am going and returning to Neeha.
The virgins met me at Reeha [i.e. Jericho, or any names which rhyme].
