The Back-Folk: Day XXI
Marriage: handfasting, cog, celebrations
Though marriage is not unheard of among the Back-Folk, it is not assumed that every couple will get married; in fact, weddings are relatively rare. It is not known whether there are any specific reasons Back-Folk get married, or whether it is simply a matter of choice, and it happens not to be the assumed path. Nevertheless, when there is a wedding ceremony, there are a number of Back-Folk traditions that are followed.
Several of these traditions are similar to those elsewhere across the country, or parts of the country. Handfasting is part of the ceremony, and the resulting marriage knot is later crystalised and preserved, though it is not known how. There is also a wooden wedding cog, which is offered round the guests by the pair getting married.
The traditional wedding clothing features an overlay of spiderweb lace, and an element of this same thread, or lace, is woven into the ribbons used for the handfasting element of the ceremony. Though there have been cases of men and women getting married, the majority of marriages are actually between same-sex couples.
As is expected, weddings are a great cause for celebration, and events can go on for some time, and be rather boisterous. There is music and dancing, with the first dance being performed for the couple by a solo dancer, rather than led by the couple. The second dance is a complicated group dance, which seems to involve only the tribe(s) of the two getting married. Thereafter, the dancefloor is open to all. There is usually a leader of ceremonies, whose role is also to act as caller for the group dances, though the instructions are drummed out rather than called verbally.
