Something Old and Something New: Illustrating Spousal Ceremonies in "Religious Ceremonies of the Known World"

Two Marriage Ceremonies in "Java" (Indonesia)

The two ceremonies engraved by Picart are really just one long procession, one to the bride’s house and one away from it. Bernard writes of the procession: “some them carried horse’s tails in their hands, in imitation of standards; others bore arms, and as they moved forwards, fought a kind of mock battle.” The groom rode a horse at the front of the procession. When he arrived at his bride’s house, “she immediately approached him, and as a sign of submission, washed his feet; after which they both stepped into the house, but returned in an instant to join the procession.” From there, bride and groom marched home hand in hand—the battle won.

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