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Article A SERVIAN WEDDING. ← Page 4 of 5 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Servian Wedding.
well-turned waist , broad low forehead , the strongly-marked eyebrows , the brilliant black eyes , the Avell-shaped nose , the rich lips , and the whole form of the head , betray an ancient Roman descent ; but not content with all this , they think it necessary to come to the assistance of dame Nature Avith a huge pot of red paint . They have particularlfine black hairwhich
y , they plait and tAvine in the most graceful manner , and adorn Avith artificial flowers , which form a staple article of luxury among the descendants of the Dacians . The Wallachian Avomen are also weU aware that nature has moulded their forms AA'ith no careless hand , and they do nothing to distort or conceal thembut shape their whole dress on the most simple model
, . The principal article of clothing is a chemise or tunic of white linen , drawn round the neck , but not too closely , Avith a coloured ribbon , and reaching not quite to the ankles ; the sleeves are large and open , and frequently very prettily
embroidered at the edges . Equally indispensable are the kotrinjes , an apron about two feet square , made of very gay stuff , spangled , and generally bordered Avith natty red fringes which reach to the ground , —and the giselje , a similar apron tied on behind . These aprons are the pride and chief ornament of the Wallachian Avomen ; simple as they are in form , much money
and taste are often expended upon the purchase of a handsome kotrinje , and still handsomer giselje . The colours are chosen with infinite care , and the Avhole is richly adorned with glittering spangles and gold and silver lace ; the Avearers practise a peculiar tripping kind of walk , which makes the fringes of the giselje swing from side to side in a way Avhich is thought
very graceful . A necklace of glass or coral beads , or of silver coins Avith the more wealthy , completes the gala dress , unless the coldness of the weather demands the addition of a jacket of white cloth , edged Avith gay colours of the same shape as that worn by the men , only somewhat longer and more ample .
After accompanying the newly married people , the musicians returned to play the " schock" ( from the Latin focus ) . Two young men lay their arms OA'er each other ' s shoulders , and stamp with small measured steps ; presently they are joined by a girl , whom they take between them , and go on dancing ; more young men arrive by degrees ; each pair take a girl between them
, until a circle is formed , and the " schock " whirls round , first towards one side and then towards the other , —UOAV soft and SIOAV , now "fast and furious ; " the music monotonously repeating the same tune , as if there were no end . Rakia ( the spirit in use amongst the Wallachians ) is not Avanting ; the dance becomes wild and wilder ; suddenly the bass-viol
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Servian Wedding.
well-turned waist , broad low forehead , the strongly-marked eyebrows , the brilliant black eyes , the Avell-shaped nose , the rich lips , and the whole form of the head , betray an ancient Roman descent ; but not content with all this , they think it necessary to come to the assistance of dame Nature Avith a huge pot of red paint . They have particularlfine black hairwhich
y , they plait and tAvine in the most graceful manner , and adorn Avith artificial flowers , which form a staple article of luxury among the descendants of the Dacians . The Wallachian Avomen are also weU aware that nature has moulded their forms AA'ith no careless hand , and they do nothing to distort or conceal thembut shape their whole dress on the most simple model
, . The principal article of clothing is a chemise or tunic of white linen , drawn round the neck , but not too closely , Avith a coloured ribbon , and reaching not quite to the ankles ; the sleeves are large and open , and frequently very prettily
embroidered at the edges . Equally indispensable are the kotrinjes , an apron about two feet square , made of very gay stuff , spangled , and generally bordered Avith natty red fringes which reach to the ground , —and the giselje , a similar apron tied on behind . These aprons are the pride and chief ornament of the Wallachian Avomen ; simple as they are in form , much money
and taste are often expended upon the purchase of a handsome kotrinje , and still handsomer giselje . The colours are chosen with infinite care , and the Avhole is richly adorned with glittering spangles and gold and silver lace ; the Avearers practise a peculiar tripping kind of walk , which makes the fringes of the giselje swing from side to side in a way Avhich is thought
very graceful . A necklace of glass or coral beads , or of silver coins Avith the more wealthy , completes the gala dress , unless the coldness of the weather demands the addition of a jacket of white cloth , edged Avith gay colours of the same shape as that worn by the men , only somewhat longer and more ample .
After accompanying the newly married people , the musicians returned to play the " schock" ( from the Latin focus ) . Two young men lay their arms OA'er each other ' s shoulders , and stamp with small measured steps ; presently they are joined by a girl , whom they take between them , and go on dancing ; more young men arrive by degrees ; each pair take a girl between them
, until a circle is formed , and the " schock " whirls round , first towards one side and then towards the other , —UOAV soft and SIOAV , now "fast and furious ; " the music monotonously repeating the same tune , as if there were no end . Rakia ( the spirit in use amongst the Wallachians ) is not Avanting ; the dance becomes wild and wilder ; suddenly the bass-viol