94 H. S. Jarrett— -Customs among the Bedouins of the Huurdn. [No. 2, 



the stars and the planets, and the heavens and the earth." On his pro- 

 nouncing these words before the assembly, the indemnity is paid, 

 and the case is decided without further contention or dispute. They 

 also employ other words, such as — " By the tomb of f sa and of Miisa." 

 Such are the expressions they make use of in their oaths and assevera- 

 tions. They pronounce these words in all their dealings with each 

 other, and if one should borrow of another, the lender is satisfied with 

 the oath alone without the written bonds customary among civilised 

 communities. Experience shows that they keep due faith with each 

 other and it is rarely that any differences arise between them. Praise 

 be to God who has made them contented with their simple institutions ! 



Supplement to the Observations on Marriage. 



When the dancing and singing and the ceremonies previously 

 mentioned are over, the bridegroom rises to his feet, and rushes 

 quickly through the women, taking any that may come on his way 

 to the apartment occupied by the bride. He then strikes the bride 

 with a staff, bruising her head, in the belief that he thereby acquires 

 power over her and that she will never dispute his authority as long 

 as she lives. Another custom is as follows : when the song and dance 

 are over as above described, they make the bridegroom stand at the 

 door of the bridal apartment, while two vigorous youths come up behind 

 and push him with all their force. Should he fall on his face, they make 

 merry over him and do not suffer him to marry that night, but if he 

 does not fall, they depart to their homes and only his near relatives 

 remain with him and the ceremonies are concluded. 



Supplement to the Observations on Mourning. 



When the mourning ceremonies are concluded, as above-mentioned, 

 they carry the corpse upon wooden boards, as is customary with people 

 in the towns. As they proceed and pass by any tent on their road, they 

 feign inability to advance as if the deceased were dragging them by 

 force to the tent they are passing, and so they carry him to it. The 

 master of the house brings out for the corpse a vesture, a jacket or 

 cloak, such as he may happen to possess, and this takes place from tent 

 to tent till they reach the cemetery. They then bury him and return 

 home after washing their hands upon the grave. This is done by one 

 of the men present taking a ewer, while the rest step forward one by 

 one to the grave and wash their hands, invoking the mercy of God upon 

 him. They believe that the soul continues to abide in the left ear, 

 and that the deceased hears all that is said to him whether prayers or 

 aught else. 



