The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

MARRIAGE CUSTOM

A YOUNG MAN AND WOMAN WERE INTRODUCED TO EACH OTHER BY A
"SWAT." HE WAS AN OLDER MEMBER OF A COMMUNITY
(MOST LIKELY A FRIEND OR A NEIGHBOR) WHO SET UP AN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE TWO SETS OF PARENTS. THE DATE OF THE MEETING WAS SET
AND THE GIRL PREPARED THE FOOD WHILE THE "SWAT"
BROUGHT THE BOY IN A BUGGY AND ALSO SOME WHISKEY TO
DRINK. THE "SWAT" DID MOST OF THE TALKING
BETWEEN THE COUPLE.

Submitter comment: AFTER THIS MEETING THE COUPLE WAS CONSIDERED ENGAGED AND
PLANS WERE MADE FOR THE WEDDING.
THIS WAS LEARNED IN RUSSIA.
THIS ITEM IS TRANSLATED FROM THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RUSSIA ; Sterling Heights

Date learned: 11-00-1973