The Maris marriage brokerage in the middle of XIX - beginning of XX century

The period before marriage in the wedding ritualism of Mari has many variations. That article is concerned with question of matchmaking asone of climactic ritual actions in the before marriage cycle of Maris tradition wedding ritualism; also it reveals the basic building block,structure and role of central figure by Maris marriage. Likewise it article will gives consideration on the dialectal differences of Maris marriagebrokerage. The matchmaking was the key insight in the period before marriage of Mari. The svat had the main role in the matchmakingceremony of Meadow Mari, at the Mountain Mari the same role mainly were played women. The Eastern Maris matchmaking took course withthe help of married couple. The direct result of Russians influence to wedding rituals of the Mountain and the Meadow Mari, who wereneighborhood with Russian people, was change Maris term of affiancer and matchmaking per loan-translation into Russian language in thebeginning of 20 century. When Mari people had the matchmaking, they talked over the question of marriage portion and dowry, which hadhave some local differences in money quantity and a name of wedding roles. The end of XIX - beginning of XX century according to pagantradition into the matchmaking ceremony it was the ritual of consecration agreement of marriage. By the way the Mountain Mari in the sametime the ritual of consecration agreement of marriage was transformed and become conducted in pursuance of Christian tradition. The offeringprayers were in front of icons, after that was wedding rings exchange three times. One of imported elements in the wedding ritual complexof the Mountain Mari becomes like native - it was the ritual of parents blessing. In such a manner, regarding matchmaking in the weddingritualism of Mari, we can speak as in one hand about general elements, as in the other hand hard differences in the areal. In many respectsthe organization differences into matchmaking caused by cross-cultural communications. When the communications Mari and Russianwere hand-to-mouth, for example, in situation with the Eastern Mari, whose wedding ritualism kept many archaic patterns. By contrast, partof the Meadow and Mountain Mari had importation in wedding ritual complex. Mari borrowed in part at Russian their wedding terminology(designation of svaha), the tradition structure electoral ranks, also were changed and their functions were partially transformed. Into contactarea with Russian people it registered weakening of paganism and as consequence was simplication of the pagan ritual consecration agreementof marriage; in some region it was complete commutation or rethinking certain magic rituals according Christian traditions.

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