The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

LITHUANIAN MARRIAGE CUSTOM

IN THE OLDEN DAYS, THE BOY HAD TO COME TO THE GIRL'S FATHER'S
FARM WITH A MATCHMAKER TO ASK HER FATHER FOR HIS DAUGHTER'S HAND
RIGHT AWAY, MAYBE HE TOLD THE YOUNG MAN TO REMAIN ON HIS FARM
TO PERFORM SOME DEEDS FOR HIM.
HOWEVER, THROUGH THE YEARS AND CENTURIES, CUSTOMS HAVE
IN MARRIAGE. SOMETIMES THE FATHER SAID YES RIGHT AWAY, MAYBE NO
CHANGED. IN THE 18TH CENTURY, THE YOUNG MAN STILL HAD TO ASK
THE GIRL'S FATHER FOR HER HAND, BUT DIDN'T HAVE TO HAVE A
MATCHMAKER.
THE PREPARATIONS WERE GREAT AND VERY FESTIVE. FIRST OF ALL, ALL
THE GIRLS THAT WERE TO BE HER BRIDESMAIDS WOVE HER A WREATH OUT OF
DAISIES OR 'RUTAS': THIS THEY PLACED UPON HER HEAD ON TOP OF A
WHITE VEIL. THE BRIDE CARRIED A LARGE BOUQUET OF WILD FLOWERS.
THE CEREMONIES WERE USUALLY HELD OUTSIDE IF IN THE SPRING OR
SUMMER. AFTER THEY PRONOUNCED THEIR VOWS, THE VILLAGE CHIMES AND
CHURCH BELLS WOULD START RINGING. LATER BRIDESMAIDS WOULD TAKE
OFF HER VEIL AND WRAP AROUND HER HEAD A WHITE BLESSED SHEET WHICH
COVERED ALL OF HER HEAD AND HAIR. IT RESEMBLED THE OLD NUN'S HABITS
HERE IN AMERICA. ALL MARRIED WOMEN WORE THESE HEAD COVERINGS.
AFTER THAT, THE FESTIVITIES WOULD START AND LAST FOR THREE
DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS. THE YOUNG COUPLE WENT AWAY TOGETHER
QUIETLY FOR ONLY A WEEK OR SO AND THEN SETTLED DOWN TO MARRIED LIFE.
IT WAS CUSTOMARY TO SHARE ANY LEFTOVER FOOD WITH THE GUESTS, AND TO
GIVE AWAY HALF OF THE FLOWERS. AT ALL LITHUANIAN WEDDINGS THERE
MUST BE PLENTY OF FLOWERS, AND PLENTY OF FOOD, DRINK, MUSIC, SINGING
AND DANCING.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Date learned: 03-25-1972