SKETCHES IN THE SOUDAN 55 



with the fingers. A monotonous chant, joined in by everybody, 

 accompanied these instruments, and was answered from within 

 the bower by the bride and her attendants. This singing seemed 

 at first very pretty, but being without any variety or intermission, 

 soon became very monotonous. Every now and then a man, 

 musician or not, stepped into the ring and danced a pas-de-seul, 

 singing the praises of the bridegroom the while ; this also would 

 be prettily answered from within. Occasionally one of the fair 

 ones ran out from the " dass " as if to escape the crowd, but in 

 vain, for she was soon captured by the amorous swains. The 

 lady had then to join these nolens volens, generally the latter 

 apparently, in a very unique slow dance, in which all the men 

 crowded round her so closely that the damsel had scarcely any 

 room to breathe, and certainly none to execute herself any of 

 the simple steps of the very simple measure. 



The men as Abyssinians all wore the national " quarry," 

 a large white cotton toga, having at one end a deep crimson 

 broad stripe. This end is thrown over the left shoulder, leaving 

 the right arm free, and gives the dress a very picturesque 

 appearance. The red stripe is worn, I believe, in memory of 

 the wound inflicted by the lance in the side of our Saviour. All 

 wear a blue cord round the neck to show that they are 

 Christians. 



We were introduced to the bridegroom, and, of course, wished 

 him everything which could possibly add to his happiness. He 

 was a very fine-looking man indeed, with beautifully frizzled, 

 curled and buttered hair, heavy silver bracelets, beads round his 

 neck, and the usual cross-handled sword over the shoulder. 

 Expressing his regrets that he had no European drinks to offer 

 us, he sent for some native beer, " marisi," made by the aid of 

 fermentation from a mixture of bread, flour, and water. The 

 thick, greyish liquid was presented to us in a cow's horn, but to 

 my mind had a very disagreeably nauseous taste. Nevertheless, 

 we drank his health, wished him many children, and said 

 " Goodbye." The singing and dancing in front of the bride's 

 hut was continued until morning, similar festivities going on 

 at the same time near the bridegroom's home. The actual 

 wedding was fixed for the next day, so in the morning the 

 bridegroom started for the father-in-law's house, mounted upon 

 a horse and accompanied by all his friends, who danced 



