‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎220r] (446/722)

^Ihe principal ceremonies of marriage among the tribes in Persia are the
same as those observed by the inhabitants of the cities and towns of that
kingdom. Like them, they settle a dower upon their wives. The ring is
sent in all due form, and presents are interchanged between the families.
They also observe the usage of staining the hands with red dye the day
before that of the marriage ; and, like the citizens, they dissipate their
property on their nuptial feasts. These feasts, among men of rank or
wealth, are protracted to thirty or forty days ; and with the poorest person
they continue three. That period is, indeed, requisite for the observance of
the established forms. Among all ranks in Persia, the bridegroom
appears, on his wedding day, dressed in all the finery he can obtain;
and on that day he receives from his relations and friends the same
obsequious attention which is paid by inferiors to a superior of elevated
rank. All who come into his presence sit below him. Offerings are brought
to the bridegroom from his relations and these are received with great
ceremony by some of his friends, who act on that day as his servants. Two
persons, generally near relations, are appointed to carry his orders into exe
cution. These are termed his right-hand man and left-hand man. And if the
bridegroom is a child, or bashful, these men act for him, and increase the
mirth of the wedding by a thousand tricks, which they play on his relations
and friends. They pretend to receive the bridegroom’s commands as those
of a monarch,—to seize one person, to fine another, and to flog a third. These
marriage pranks are usually preconcerted ; but, even when not, they never
give offence, as instances of bad humour at a nuptial festival are of very
rare occurrence. The joys in the house of the bride are more moderate.
The lady is bathed, perfumed, and dressed in the richest clothes her family
can afford. She also sits in state ; and before she leaves her own house or
tent, she receives presents from a number of her friends.
“ When this ceremony is over, she is covered with a scarlet veil, is
mounted upon horseback, and conveyed to her husband’s dwelling; who
receives her at the threshold. The above usages are now almost as common
among the citizens as among the wandering tribes of Persia. It remains
to speak of those customs which are more peculiar to the latter, and several
of which, from their character, probably existed among this class long
before the introduction of the Muhammadan religion.
“ On the morning that the bride is to be conveyed to the house or
tent of the bridegroom, her friends assemble. If she is the daughter of a
chief or of an elder of a tribe, she is accompanied by all the horsemen whose
attendance he can command. The party proceed, accompanied by dancers
and music; and if the place of their destination is near, they take a circuit
ous road to it, that the enjoyment of this part of the ceremony may be pro
longed. When they appear at a distance, the bridegroom mounts his horse,
and, attended by his friends, proceeds to meet the cavalcade. He holds an
apple or an orange in his hand; and when sufficiently near to be certain of
his aim, he throws it at her with considerable force. All is silent attention
from the time the parties come near each other till this act—which is the
signal for general uproar and confusion. The bridegroom wheels his horse
round, and rides at full speed to his place of abode. Every horseman of
the bride’s party endeavours to seize him; and he that succeeds has his horse,
saddle, and clothes, as a reward. This, however, is only the case where the
party is wealthy. Among the poorer classes a few pieces of silver are paid,
as a fine, to the successful pursuer. The bridegroom, however, is not often
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