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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1978-02-16, Page 27Page S '� Lapland bride has last-minute chance! �-46-P4v- Least known among the peoples of the world are the inhabitants of Northern Fin- land at the Arctic Circle. It is believed that the Finnish Lapps roamed as nomads across Russia and Finland as far back as the last Ice Age, 10 millenniums ago. Their origin, actually, is not known. There is some thought that they are an an- cient sub -arctic race: The Finns only know that they found the Lapps in the North of their country about 2,000 years ago. Though time has wrought its changes among these quaint people as it has with other inhabitants throughout the. world, some of the tradi- tions of the deep past are still retained by the quiet, shy Laplanders. Among these are the customs that continue to be practiced at Lapp wed- dings, both by bride and groom. Unlike the nuptial event in America, where both parties participating in a marriage ar- rive at the church separately, in Lapland the bride and groom are escorted to the house of worship on foot, in a procession from the bride's home. Accompanying the bridal pair, and first in line of march, are the bride's nearest family. The groom's relatives follow, with the be- trothed couple next. Behind them are young marrieds and the singles. The procession often consists of several dozen people. The traditional Lapp bridal dress is always dark blue, with many shawls tied over the bride's shoulders. Usu- ally the top one is white, tak- ing the place of a veil. Women guests at the wed- ding ceremony wear white shawls, also, as is customary on all solemn occasions. The number of shawls worn by the bride is kind of a status symbol. Lapp custom gives the bride a chance to change her mind about her intended husband, right up to the last minute, practically, before she says "I do." A rejected suitor may ap- pear and approach her before the ceremony, while she is seated, sit down beside her -and lightly press her foot with his. He hopes she will return the gesture. For, if she does, this will signal that she would rather marry him. This foot -pressing method gives the near -bride the right to switch fiances even before the priest says his Amen. Though this might call for smelling salts by the bride's and the groom's families and friends in America, in Lap- land no one gives it a second thought. In fact, the girl's be- havior would be regarded as something quite correct. The shunned groom, then, must accept the rebuff gallantly. • Wedding receptions in Lapland have changed little over the -centuries. Guests at- tend a party at the bride's home, at which they are -of- fered reindeer meat and sal- mon sandwiches—the de- licacies of the Far North— and coffee and home-made pastry. The one ancient Lapp cus- tom that surely would have little or no appeal even to ad- venturous North Americans is one that is still followed by newlyweds at the Arctic Cir- cle. The bridal couple is re- THE LAPLAND BRIDE IS WED IN DARK BLUE, with many shawls tied over her shoulders. The top shawl is usually white. Women guests at the wedding ceremony also wear white shawls (the traditional garb for all sol- emn occasions). The number of shawls worn by the bride is somewhat of a status symbol. Paralleling the American custom of wearing "something old, some- thing new, something borrowed, something blue," the Finnish Lapp girls must wear "one bought, one got, one stolen, the rest borrowed". quired to spend their wed- ding night outside their hut. This isn't difficult to take in the summer, when the weather is balmy. clear and delightful. But, in the winter, this means the nuptial night is spent in the bare snow. The Finnish Lapps, nevertheless, are otherwise becoming more educated and assuming the ways of the very literate and progressive Finnish people. They have adapted themselves to the modern social and economic conditions. But, like many other people in other lands, they continue to cling to some' of the traditions of their, forefathers. The marriage rites and its ancient customs are among those that are des- tined to be preserved for some time to come. Grown to be 'Wed! Every bride in the States carries flowers with her on her wedding day, but how many can say that they are carrying flowers that were planted especially for their wedding day on the day that they were born! In Germany there are many young women who can make this claim, due to one of the loveliest ethnic bridal traditions of all. When a baby girl is born in Germany her mother plants a tiny plant called a myte. This will be grown and nurtured until her wedding day when the flowers -will be -used -to- decorate her headpiece (they are usually woven into a crown).The groom also wears a sprig of the samemyte in his lapel. Alas! Times do change and progress takes its toll. In to- day's busy world, many German girls now wear arti- ficialmyte, with urban spread cancelling out the pos- sibilities of a wedding plant for every newborn Fraulein. Yet the spirit of the. myte —a symbol of con- tinuity, unity, and love as a beautiful living and flowering entity—will continue to add -its -speeial- touch of grace to German weddings. A Beautiful Beginning... Baubles, bangles wedding bands Before you and your fiancee set out to buy your wedding rings there are some timely tips that will save you lots of leg work, and help you to make a wise choice. It is im_..portantto.go to a jeweler you can trust, who will show you a selec- tion of name brand wed- ding rings in white and yellow gold. Fine quality and expert craftsmanship will last a lifetime, the precious gleam mellowing w1ti time and loving wear. There is no significant difference in your choice of color of gold ... it is a matter of taste. Both offer strength, hardness and re- sistance to wear, both are equally precious. Wedding rings should be ordered four to six weeks before the happy event, insuring plenty of time for accurate sizing. A narrow band will be about. half a size smaller than a wide one, since it will slip over the knuckle with more ease. The design should ap- pear in a continuous flow, showing no break; finishes must be clean and smooth to your touch. Brian and Jackie are examining the features on a Kelvinator Refrigerator at Muffltt Appliances & T.V. Muffitt's also carry Maytag, Admiral, Kelvinator Woods appliances, RCA & Sanyo televisions and Hoover & Eureka vacuum cleaners. New appliances enhance a new life. PROUD TO SELL - PLEASED TO SERVICE 308 HURON ROAD MUFFITT , appliances & television • GODERICH 524-4301