500 FROM NORTH POLE TO EQUATOR. 



father declares the betrothal fixed, and prepares to go, leaving a 

 present in or before the yurt. But the bridegroom's father, if it is 

 possible at all, sends half the kaliim with him, and pays the remain- 

 ing half as soon as may be. 



A. fortnight after payment of the kaliim, the bridegroom is at 

 liberty to visit his bride for the first time. Accompanied by as 

 many friends of his own age as possible, he sets out under the 

 guidance of an older friend of the family, who is familiar with all 

 the customs to be observed, but he dismounts in the neighbourhood 

 of the bride's aul, erects a small tent, and retires into it, or conceals 

 himself in some other way. His followers go on to the aul, and, 

 after having been ceremoniously welcomed, enter it and distribute, 

 amid much jesting, all sorts of little presents, rings, necklaces, sweets, 

 ribbons, and pieces of coloured cloth, among the crowd of women 

 and children. Then they enter the festive yurt with all the young 

 people of both sexes. The host provides meat and drink; first, the 

 breast of a sheep, which he cuts with the words already mentioned, 

 then "meibaur" — small pieces of the heart, liver, and kidneys 

 smeared with fat. The dishes are placed before the elderly leader 

 of the party, who, as chief guest, proceeds in the manner before 

 described, but as he puts the pieces into the mouth of the first young 

 man, he smears his face with the fat broth. This is the signal for 

 the beginning of all manner of practical jokes, and the youths, 

 maidens, and younger women indulge in them freely. A very 

 common one among the girls is to sew the clothing of the young 

 men with rapid stitches to the rugs on which they are sitting. 



When the meal is over the youthful guests are allowed a short 

 interval of repose, but only to give them time to collect their 

 ideas. Then the girls and women challenge the young men to a 

 singing competition, and giving them the place of honour, sit down 

 opposite them; then one begins her song. It fares ill with the 

 youth whom she addresses if he is not ready with his reply. The 

 meny troop falls upon him, they nip him and pinch him, drive him 

 from the yurt, and hand him over to the young men of the aul, 

 who are congregated outside on the watch for such victims. A 

 bucket of water is poured over the unfortunate blunderer, and thus 



