rein-deer skin spread in the hut before the father and mother of the
intended bride.
The father or mother o f the bridegroom then distributes the money
between the young woman and her parents. I f the sum be thought
too small, they ask for more, and it frequently happens that much
time is spent in bargaining before they come to a conclusion. When
they cannot procure so large a sum as they think themselves entitled to,
they often reject the whole, and return the money to those who brought,
it. But i f matters are brought to a favourable conclusion, the parents
allow their daughter to be sent for. Two of the bridegroom s relations
undertake that office. I f the bride has any confidential friend or sister,
they walk arm in arm together; and in such a case the mother of the
bridegroom is required to make a present o f a few brass rings, or something
o f that kind to the friend or sister.
When the bride enters the hut, her father asks her whether she is
satisfied with what he has done. To which she replies that she submits
herself to the disposal o f her father, who is the best judge of
what is proper for her. The mother of the bridegroom then presents
the bride with the sum alotted for her, laying it in her lap. I f it prove
less than she expected, she shows her dissatisfaction by various gestures
and signs of refusal; in which case she may possibly obtain at least the
promise of a greater sum : all these gifts become her own property.
When such pecuniary matters are finally arranged, the father and
mother of the bridegroom present him and his bride with a cup of
brandy, of which they partake together, and then all the company
shake hands. They afterwards take off their caps, and one of the company
makes a kind of prayer, begging for God’s blessing upon the new
married couple, and returning thanks to him who gives every man his
own wife, and every woman her own husband. The parents of the
bridegroom next partake of some brandy, and the whole stock of that
liquor, which they had carried along with them, is brought out for the
entertainment of the company. All the relations of the bridegroom
then come forward with their provisions, which generally consist of
some cheeses, and a piece of meat dried and salted. The latter is
roasted before the fire; while in the mean time the company is regaled
with some of the solid preparations of milk, the bride and bridegroom
eating by themselves apart from the rest.
Two stewards are next chosen, one o f them from the bride’s party,
the other from that of the bridegroom. The last mentioned party are
then required to furnish a quantity o f raw meat, amounting to about a
pound and a half to each person. This the stewards immediately boil,
and then serve it round to all present. This meat is dressed in several
separate pots, two only in each hut, i f there be any neighbouring huts
which can serve to accommodate the party on this occasion; for each
Laplander has no more than one hut of his own. The fat part o f the
broth is first served up in basons. Afterwards various blankets o f
walmal cloth are spread upon the floor, by way o f table cloth, on
which the boiled meat is placed. The chief persons in the company
then, as many of them at least as can find room, take their places in
the hut of the bride’s family, sitting down round the provisions, while
the children and inferiors are accommodated in the neighbouring huts.
Grace is then said. The bride and bridegroom are placed near together,
for the most part close to the door or place of entrance. They are
always helped to the best o f the provision. The company then serve
themselves, taking their meat on the points of their knives, and dipping
each morsel into some o f the fat broth, in which the whole has been
boiled, before putting it into their mouths. Numbers o f people assemble
from the neigbourhood, to look in upon the company through the door •
and as they expect to share in the feast, the stewards give them two or
three bits o f meat, according as they respect them more or less. What
remains after every body is satisfied, Is put together, and wrapped up in
the blankets, that part o f it which is left by the new married couple
being kept separate from the Test, as no other person is allowed to
partake o f their share. The dinner being over, the whole company
shake hands, and return thanks for their entertainment. They always
shake hands with the bride and bridegroom in the first place, and then
with the rest, saying at the same time hisslan.
2 Z