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