Folk-Lore of West and Mid-WalesDavies, Jonathan Ceredig
History
Folk-Lore of West and Mid-Wales
Davies, Jonathan Ceredig
Folklore -- Wales; Wales -- Social life and customs
It seems that some kind of Horse Weddings is in vogue among the
Calmucians, even at the present day, the young woman is first
mounted on her horse and drives off full speed, then the young man,
who is her intended, mounts and chases her, and when he catches her
he can claim her as his wife on the spot; but should she escape him,
he cannot claim her. I well remember when I lived in the Welsh Colony
of Patagonia, about 20 years ago, that it was a very common custom
for a young man and a young woman when in love, to mount their steeds
and take a long ride of 20 miles or more in each other's company,
and whilst driving along together in such manner words of love were
often whispered. Also when a wedding took place, the guests went to
it on their horses, but the old custom of driving after, and capturing
the bride was not observed.
Horse Weddings were very general in West Wales about sixty years ago,
and even twenty years ago in some districts, but I doubt whether
the custom has been continued at the present day in any part of the
country. In the chase after the bride it was supposed that whoever
caught her would be married without doubt within a year from that date,
so it is not to be wondered at that young men drove so furiously on
such occasions.
As soon as the marriage ceremony was over in church, it was once
the custom for a harper in the churchyard to play "Merch Megan,"
"Mentra Gwen," "Morwynion Glan Meirionydd," or some other beautiful
old Welsh Air appropriate to the occasion.
It was also customary in some places, especially in the Northern part
of Cardiganshire, for a certain number of young men to mount their
steeds immediately after the ceremony, and drive off full speed,
for the first who reached the house of the newly-married couple was
to receive a quart of beer and a silk pocket handkerchief, especially
if the young husband and wife were well-to-do.
The ceremony at the Church being over, all the company joined and
returned to the young couple's house, where dinner was provided. On
their return journey again, as in going to Church, they drove
fast. Indeed, it was often the custom to have a regular horse race
on the way home from Church on the wedding day.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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