Marriage Customs. 95 



pressed, they swore repeatedly and solemnly that they 

 had no money. 



These dances are kept up night after night for a week 

 or so before a wedding. John Petherick, in his " Egypt, 

 the Soudan and Central Africa," mentions that jars of 

 merissa are supplied free to entertain the wedding 

 guests. Our men told us that merissa was to be had in 

 plenty during these times of gaiety, but that the visitors 

 had to pay for it, and the knowledge of this fact and 

 the handing round of the begging bowl somewhat 

 detracted from the wild freedom of this primitive scene. 



There are many curious customs in connection with 

 marriage amongst the Soudanese. One of a primitive 

 and savage nature was brought to our notice continually. 

 At almost every camp young men were conducted to 

 us to exhibit with great pride long raw wounds on 

 their backs. In every case these wounds were made 

 with the korbag and were inflicted at weddings. Part 

 of the ceremony consists in the bridegroom standing 

 erect and motionless while one of the party flicks pieces 

 of flesh off his back with this deadly whip. Should he 

 move or betray any sign of pain he is considered no man, 

 everyone jeers at him and a crowd of contemptuous 

 hags rush on him, their nails proving often worse to 

 endure than the korbag. 



