Show cling to custom of carrying off mates A curious marriage custom persists la in Abc Abe hasla a district of the caucasus on the wedding day the bride withdraws to the darkest room of the house bouse at dusk duek the bridegroom supported by a bodyguard of friends all fully armed rides up to the house dismounts and hammers on the door with a dagger hilt the door opens to reveal the brides mate male relatives just as ferociously equipped and tb tae e two parties promptly join in a mock combat eventually the defenders defence retire the bridegroom rushes in seizes his bride nines flings her across his bis shoulder and carrying her out leaps on his horse and gallops off with his capture to the ac accompaniment compani ment of the victor victorious loux yells of ills his supporters shortly after the defeated relatives of the bride mount their horses and give chase when the bridegrooms bride grooms house to Is reached both sides join in a contest to see who can drink most winel Abc Abe haslan girls decline to give up the he rite and few would accept any suitor who did not intend to carry them thein off by force |