504 FROM NORTH POLE TO EQUATOR. 



After the preliminary repast in the new yurt, the guests repair 

 to that of the bride's father, where a second meal awaits them. 

 The younger people remain in the new yurt, and for them the 

 bride's mother prepares food and drink; and she must provide 

 it bountifully, lest the young people should break up the light 

 structure over their heads, and, to punish her niggardliness, scatter 

 its parts in all directions far away in the steppe. Not even the 

 abundantly fiUed dish itself is safe from the boisterous spirits of 

 these unruly wedding guests; one of them pulls it from the hostess, 

 and rides away with it; others attempt to catch him and secure 

 the spoil, and so the fun goes on till the dishes are in danger of 

 becoming cold. 



The following morning the bride's father asks for the first time 

 to see the bridegroom, invites him to his yurt, greets him warmly, 

 praises his looks and talents, wishes him happiness in his married 

 life, and gives him all sorts of presents as the bride's dowry. This 

 takes place in the presence of the whole company who had as- 

 sembled in the yurt before the bridegroom's entrance. Finally, the 

 richly adorned bride enters it also. If there is a moUah in the 

 ^ul, or if one can be procured, he pronounces a blessing over the 

 young pair. 



Then the farewell song, the "jar -jar", is sung to the bride, 

 and, with tearful eyes, she responds to every verse, every strophe, 

 with the lament of departing brides. 



When this is at an end, camels are brought up to be loaded with 

 the yurt and the bridal presents, and gaily caparisoned horses to 

 ■carry the bride and her mother to the bridegroom's aul. The yoimg 

 man himself rides in advance of the procession, and, assisted by his 

 companions, he urges the camels to their utmost speed, so as to have 

 time to erect the yurt in his aul with the same ceremonies as had 

 been previously observed. The bride, having taken tearful leave 

 of her father, relatives, and companions, the yurt, and the herds 

 and flocks, rides closely veiled by a curtain which completely 

 envelopes her, and which is carried by her attendant riders, till she 

 reaches the yurt in which she is henceforth to reign as mistress. 

 Her father-in-law, who has meantime inspected the dowry, and 



