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Story
October 5, 1869
The Spirit Of Democracy
Woodsfield, Monroe County, Ohio
What is this article about?
In Roumania, parents take marriageable children and dowries to a fair in Transylvania's mountains, where fathers shout offers for daughters or sons, negotiate matches, and conclude marriages on the spot if satisfactory.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
How People Find Husbands and Wives in Roumania.
As the time for the Fair approaches, the fathers, whose children are marriageable, collect what they can afford as a dower. Whatever this consist of it is packed, if possible, into a cart or carriage and on the appointed day they all—fathers, children and chattels—start for some trysting place generally chosen among the mountains of Transylvania. When the Fair is opened, the fathers climb on their carriages and shout with the whole power of their lungs, "I have a daughter to marry. Who wants a wife?" The call is answered by some other parent who has a son he is anxious to pair off. The two parents compare notes, and if the marriage portion is satisfactory, the treaty then and there is concluded. The young man takes possession of his wife with all her goods and chattels, and drives off merrily. If on the other hand, the match is not equal or for some other reason unsatisfactory, then the parents begin to cry their live merchandise once more.—Exchange.
As the time for the Fair approaches, the fathers, whose children are marriageable, collect what they can afford as a dower. Whatever this consist of it is packed, if possible, into a cart or carriage and on the appointed day they all—fathers, children and chattels—start for some trysting place generally chosen among the mountains of Transylvania. When the Fair is opened, the fathers climb on their carriages and shout with the whole power of their lungs, "I have a daughter to marry. Who wants a wife?" The call is answered by some other parent who has a son he is anxious to pair off. The two parents compare notes, and if the marriage portion is satisfactory, the treaty then and there is concluded. The young man takes possession of his wife with all her goods and chattels, and drives off merrily. If on the other hand, the match is not equal or for some other reason unsatisfactory, then the parents begin to cry their live merchandise once more.—Exchange.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Family Drama
What themes does it cover?
Family
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Marriage Fair
Dowry Negotiation
Transylvanian Customs
Parental Matchmaking
Roumanian Traditions
Where did it happen?
Mountains Of Transylvania, Roumania
Story Details
Location
Mountains Of Transylvania, Roumania
Story Details
Parents transport marriageable children and dowries to a fair in Transylvania, where fathers publicly offer their daughters for marriage, negotiate with other parents, and finalize matches immediately if terms are agreeable.