Misconduct in the sense of adultery is punished by death, and nothing is given back to the husband; but if the wife for some cause or other goes away of her own consent, divorce being the consequence, the husband is entitled to receive back half the sum paid by him as (lower, though this is often delayed for many years, and finally the parties agree for a small sum, or blood feuds ensue. If the man is the divorcer, he has to bear all consequences, and receives nothing whatever. In the "Fetluh" they sometimes marry without dower, since the last few years.
Question 14. Are rings used in marriage, or any other token?
Answer. Not in the same manner as with Europeans. Here it is agreed between the parties that the bridegroom has to furnish ten or more silver rings, خواتم (Khawatem), and so many pairs of bracelets, اسوار (Asawer), but there is no ceremony in handing them to the bride.
Question 15. Describe a peasant wedding. The processions, dances, songs, the presents made, any ordinary riddles or proverbs asked?
Answer. When the price of the bride is fixed, the first part of the sum paid means the betrothal, and a sacrifice in token of sincerity is brought and eaten by the relatives and others who may be invited, the women singing the praises of the bridegroom, father, and bride. Sweets, nuts, &c., may also be brought. The women, or one woman, generally says four lines, slightly touching her mouth and taking the hand away whilst singing. For example:—
| Whiter than the snow, the fair one's clothing is whiter |
ابيض من التلج ملبوس الجميل ابيض | |
| Abiad rain il thalj, malboos il jameel Abiad | ||
| White rice boiled in white milk. |
يا رز ابيض متبوخ بحليب ابيض | |
| Ya Ruz Abiad, matbukh bi'haleeb Abiad | ||
| Oh what a shame, they brought a white doctor, |
يا وقعه الشوم جابولى حكيم ابيض | |
| Ya wak'at il Shome jabuli hakeem Abiad | ||
| He uncovered the wound and found it white! |
كشف على الجرح لقا الجرح ابيض | |
| Kashaf alia il jarh' laka il jarli' Abiad. |
Then the ululation follows, زغروت, and another woman says something, and a coloured wedding dress is provided for the bride. Red silk garments are given to one or more relatives of the bride. When the whole dowry, or nearly all, is paid, the wedding day is fixed generally about the full moon. For six or eight days before, the villagers assemble every evening on the roof of some house, or in the courtyard, and coffee is made, the men dancing the all-in-a-row-dance, سحجه (Sa'hje), which may continue for many hours, from nightfall to midnight. From five to twenty men stand very close to each other, and one facing them with
