Page:Folklore1919.djvu/275

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The Folk Life of Afghanistan.
263

(18) Table covers (white) 10 to 30

(19) Table covers (prints) I10 to 30

(20) Kitchen utensils and other accessories. Sometimes as many as 150 pieces No limit

(21) Handkerchiefs, socks, mufflers, caps, powder-boxes (face powder), mirrors, decorative articles, prayer carpets, clocks, etc., etc.

The young couple are provided with an almost complete household outfit, which should last them for fifteen years. A good few carts are necessary to convey everything. The prevalent idea is "that we ought to set the young people on their feet till they may be able to support themselves."

In addition to those mentioned, there are presents given on behalf of the mother of the bride to the bride-groom. These are fewer, and are useful—turbans, a fur coat, suits of clothing, shoes, one or two horses, and guns.

Meanwhile the mother of the bride-groom is also busy with her preparations, although she has to provide less than the bride's mother. She and her husband must give wedding presents to the bride too. The articles they offer are few but costly, and include one very gaudy and highly embroidered garment, a pair of shawls and golden shoes. The jewellery given by the bride-groom's people comprises a ring, a pair of bracelets, a string of pearls and other stones, and a pair of pazāb (big hollow rings for the feet, with small bullets hanging all round). Pazāb is from the Persian, —feet; zāb—from zabidan, becoming (becoming feet).

These presents in jewellery run away with a little fortune. All the gifts must be first-class in style and of great value, and gold is one of the necessary elements. Not infrequently, the same pieces of jewellery pass from generation to generation. They send their old ornaments to be polished and cleaned, and they are passed on as brand new ones, specially manufactured for the latest recipients. The poorer classes cannot make a great display, and their