brothers to take leave of relations. 2. Courtseys thrice at gate. 3. Takes mould from the threshold [abode of house-god], and puts it on her bosom. 4. Bewails her fate to relations in turn. 5. Returns home. 6. Father-in-law visits, proffers pure, and blesses her.
Day before Wedding (at bridegroom’s house). § 6.—1. Girls arrive at bridegroom’s, carrying sticks dressed with caps and ribbons. 2. Ask his father to bless them to invite guests [only women]. 3. Invite guests and return. 4. Ask a blessing to heat bridegroom’s bath. 5. The guests arrive, eat and drink. 6. Sit up all night making preparations for feast. 7. Bridegroom sent away from the house before night.
Afternoon of Wedding-day (Erza). § 7.—Assembly at bridegroom’s. 2. Prayer to Chimpaz. 3. Father blesses with loaf and holy picture. Bridegroom’s parents, bridegroom [sometimes], and relations start for bride’s village [best man armed with a sword]. Pass the night there.
Wedding-day (Erza). § 7—1. Bridegroom’s party refused admission at bride’s;[1] only enter on payment. Variant.—Bridegroom’s party received with insulting songs by bride’s girl friends, but her parents welcome it with bread and salt. 2. Eatables and drinkables brought by party are set on table and all eat and drink [bride not present]. Bridegroom’s parents start off to invite bride’s relations [before starting his mother sometimes leaves a loaf in each room]. Variant.—His mother goes to see bride dressing at neighbour’s; gives her beer and returns. 4. Bride dressed by friends in private room; then brought to common room. 5. Bride blessed with same loaf [a hole scooped out in its under-crust] as bridegroom was blessed with. 6. Bride [violently resisting][2] carried outside; after prayer to house-
