Village Life in Late Tsarist Russia by Olga Semyonova Tian-Shanskaia David L. Ransel

Author:Olga Semyonova Tian-Shanskaia,David L. Ransel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Indiana University Press

After this, everyone retires for the night. The bride shouts out this lament every evening of the week preceding the wedding. Some brides are completely hoarse by the time they go to church to be wed.

Between the bride-show and the wedding, the groom may call upon his bride several times. On these occasions he brings vodka and treats his prospective relatives. He also brings treats for the bride. When the groom leaves for home, the bride walks him to a street corner. At this point in their relationship, the couple are likely to begin having sex.

On the eve of the wedding, a party for the bride’s girlfriends is held.1 On the afternoon of the day of the party, the parents of the groom arrive to collect the bride’s gifts for him. On his behalf, they present her with a pound of soap and a pair of earrings. Soon the girlfriends arrive. The bride serves them refreshments and vodka. The girls honor her with songs. Then the bride addresses her parents with a lamentation:

My father, my provider,

My dearest mother,

Thank you for your hospitality.

My stay with you has ended,

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