The History of Lapland: Wherein Are Shewed the Original, Manners, Habits, Marriages, Conjurations, &c. of That PeopleScheffer, Johannes
History
The History of Lapland: Wherein Are Shewed the Original, Manners, Habits, Marriages, Conjurations, &c. of That People
Scheffer, Johannes
Lapland -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; Sami (European people)
will be serviceable to the feast. But because the meat they bring is
ordinarily raw, they deliver it to a _Laplander_, on purpose appointed
to that office, viz. to receive it of every Person that brings, and
afterwards to boil it, and lastly to distribute it among the guests,
tho commonly the greatest part of the provision be made, by the
Bridegrooms as well as Brides parents. In their sitting at table they
keep this order, in the uppermost places sit the Bridegroom and Bride
next to one another, then follow in order the rest, as the parents, and
kindred. At the table no person helps himself, but receives his meat
from the hands of a _Laplander_, who is both dresser and carver of it.
First of all he serves the Bridegroom and Bride with their portion,
and in order the rest. Now they who by reason of the scantiness of
room in the hut, cannot be admitted to the feast, such are boies and
girles, climb up to the roof of the hut, and from thence let down
threds with hooks tied to them, to which they fasten pieces of meat,
and the like, so that they also enjoy their share of the banquet. The
entertainment ended, they give thanks, as at other times they use,
and shake hands one with another. The last thing wherewith they shut
up the merriment of the feast, is drinking Spirit of Wine, which if
they can light upon, they then are sure to buy; first the Bridegroom
drinks, then the Brides parents, then each man shifts for himself, and
so they make merry, but this custom the richer sort only observe, and
those too who have the opportunity of buying, by the presence of those
who sell these commodities; as for the meaner sort they are accustomed
to divert themselves with talk. When the Wedding is over, the Husband
may not take along with him his Wife with her goods and fortune, but
must remain for an whole year in service with his Father; when that
time is past, if he sees convenient he may set up for himself, and
turn housekeeper; and then the Father bestows upon his Daughter at
her departure, the _Rain-deer_, which are her due, because given her
in her younger years: he gives her also other gifts besides, and what
furniture will be requisite for the new married couple, particularly
he gives for her dowry an hundred or more _Rain-deers_, as likewise
silver, copper, Alchymy, a tent, bedding, and other houshold-stuff.
And next all the kindred, the Brothers and Sisters, and whoever have
received of the Bridegroom his gifts of respect, are likewise obliged
to return him back again some present, so that he who had received
one or two markes of silver, returns for a gift again one or two
_Rain-deers_: so that it comes to pass, that the _Laplanders_, who can
gratifie the friends and kindred with numerous presents, if they wed a
rich _Laplanders_ Daughter, come to great wealth in _Rain-deer_ by this
kind of marriage. These are the cheif things the _Laplanders_ observe
in their contracts and marriages, which before we quite leave, we may
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