|
|
Wedding
The all-male feast held in the reception hall of Golestan palace was typical of banquetes held on such occasions as Taj al-Saltana's wedding. The chosen one October 21, 1998
One morning when I was in [my father's] presence and a number of ladies were standing nearby, several eunuchs came in carrying trays on their heads. When the covers were lifted from the trays, a large quantity of expensive toys and splendid precious jewelry presented itself to view. Everyone wondered what this was and for whom it was intended. After a lengthy silence, my father said, "Aziz [al-Sultan, Malijak]! These are yours. Give them to any girl you want." The boy had been advised earlier to choose me as his betrothed. However, one of my half-sisters, who was about two years older than I, had also been made a candidate for marriage to 'Aziz. Her mother, having cajoled and threatened the boy's nanny, had won her over to her side and had made the servant promise that 'Aziz would choose her daughter. The boy had acquiesced in the plan. As soon as my father had spoken, the boy picked up a ring and put it on my sister's finger, saying, "S-s-s-sir, I ch-ch-ch-choose th-th-this girl as my b-b-b-betrothed!" My father embraced him and said, "My dear 'Aziz! Your betrothed is this other girl, and it is my wish that you have her." The boy stuttered again, "V-v-v-very well!" My mother who was present shouted, "Oh, I would sooner poison my daughter and end her life than consent to such a son-in-law. Isn't it a pity to give my darling, sweet girl to this child whose parentage is well known and whose appearance is so repulsive?" It needs no telling what effect these harsh words about 'Aziz had on my father. He raised his voice like a roar of thunder and bellowed, "What did you say? Do you wish to die? Is it in your power to choose for my daughter?" Pandemonium broke loose. With great difficulty they took my mother out of his sight, while I stood rooted to the spot. Nevertheless, as I write to you now, I recall that I wished my mother had not interfered and I had, in fact, been given to him in marriage. Not that I understood what a husband was or knew the meaning of love. All I knew was that if I were married I would leave home and no longer see my mother coddling my brother. Besides, there were some exquisite dolls in the trays which I could not bear to lose. I longed for someone to give them to me at once so that I could run to my playroom and smash and tear them apart. My mother's objections had emboldened the boy and he said, "I w-w-want the same g-g-girl. I d-d-d-don't want this g-g-g-girl!" Everyone congratulated him. It was almost a formal engagement, and the dolls and jewelry were taken to my sister's house. I came home angry and unhappy. As soon as I walked in, my mother called me and said, "Why are you here? What did you come back for? Go back to your father. Or if you want to remain in my house don't go to your father any more!" I went crying to my room. Throwing myself on the bed, I wept bitterly. Later I dozed off, overcome by sleep. In a dream I saw an expanse of meadow in which enormous people of all kinds were walking about. Laden with jewels and extravagant clothes, I was also taking in the sights. Gradually the people began to descend on me, snatching away my ornaments and jewels and leaving me naked. Like a helpless dove trapped in the claws of falcons, I was at the mercy of these people who were pulling off my feathers one by one. I woke up terrified and started to cry again. My nanny entered the room and found me in that state. Deeply moved, she held me in her arms, kissed me and asked why I was crying. I told her about the day's events, my mother's anger and the dream. She let out a moan and said, "In order to be happy in life, it's not enough for one to enjoy a high position or belong to royalty or be as pretty as you are. Many other things are necessary for well-being which I will teach you if I live long enough." With great difficulty she calmed me down and engaged me in play. Soon I had forgotten the episode entirely. The interpretation of the dream and the meaning of my nanny's words came to me several years later. Soon after, the chief custodian in Khorasan sent for a bride, and it fell to my unfortunate lot. My father and mother had almost come to the point of agreement, and it was not long before I was to be married off and sent to Khorasan. When I learned of this, I began to cry and refused to be separated from my kindred, my father and mother, and begged not to be given to this suitor. My wish was granted and the suitor went away rejected. Shortly after, one of my father's wives who was a princess and related to the royal family sought me for her nephew. At the time, the family had few worldly possessions and did not hold any important offices. So my mother refused her offer. Many were the suitors who would thus appear in the morning, only to disappear by the evening. Finally, one day someone came from the house of Anis al-Dawla, one of my father's wives, and summoned me on her behalf... This spiritual mother of mine had chosen a fiance for me from a noble, aristocratic family and on this day had called me to her house so that I could be seen. After we had made our entrances and gone through the formalities, she seated me by her side, as usual, and kissed me. She spoke about various things and asked me about the games I liked to play. I replied in sweet, measure tones, giving clever answers to her questions. Occasionally making childish gestures, I gave added emphasis to my words. Soon I realized that a large stately woman was sitting in the room, listening carefully to my childish prattle and smiling. Little by little, I became friendly with her and began to talk. Meanwhile, an eight-year-old boy, very light-skinned and fat but very sweet and appealing, entered the room in military uniform and headpiece and, going directly to the lady, planted himself between her knees. Looking at him, I felt terrified and stood up impulsively. All their entreaties that I stay were to no avail. Deeply scared and sad at the same time, I left the room. My earlier cheerfulness and sense of joy vanished completely, giving way to dejection. Returning home, I went to my mother. In response to her numerous questions I could only sigh. Finally, she left me to myself and asked my nanny for an explanation. My nanny said, "It seems this lady has approached Anis al-Dawla regarding a bride for her son. Among the girls, she has chosen this one."... As I lay sick and almost unconscious with a high fever, my mother was negotiating the terms of the marriage. Since it was Anis al-Dawla who was asking for my hand on behalf of the bridegroom's mother, my father also gave his consent, albeit with reluctance. He did stipulate, however, that while we could celebrate the engagement right away, the nuptials would have to wait until I was at least twenty. Satisfied with this arrangement, both parties quickly made plans for an engagement ceremony and began work on the preparations... All the noble and aristocratic families, all the prominent princesses had received invitations from Anis al-Dawla. It was a phenomenal spectacle. Every part of that large courtyard rippled with colors and patterns and arrays, and the sparkle from the diamonds was blinding. I was taken to a secluded courtyard for my toilette. One of my father's wives was a competent bride stylist, aptly named Delbar Khanum (Lady Coquette). Every bride that she dressed up was honored by the sovereign with an expensive piece of gold cloth. I distinctly remember feeling that I was about to die under the weight of the gold cloth and the jewelry and constantly cursing that unpropitious lady. All the little girls who were my age were gathered in this courtyard. A small band of musicians and dancers had been picked and brought here to perform. There was music everywhere, and the throngs of people had raised a tremendous hubbub. Almost a thousand platters of confections and fruit and several gold trays filled with colorful jewelry had been prepared for this celebration. An enormous company of officials, administrators, and aristocrats was led around the courtyard to the accompaniment of music and finally brought to our house. The group had to move very slowly and deliberately so that they could scrutinize all the gifts the guests had brought and, considering what had been given to the bride, estimate her value. Ay me! Like a captive slave with all her outward accoutrements I was sold off to a husband whom I had not had a chance to observe and to whose character I was not accustomed. This lifelong mate of mine I had accepted in theory, nurturing in my imagination merely the idea of husband and wholly oblivious of a husband's sweeping prerogatives. Yet, I must be married off to the tune of a thousand platters of sweets and fruit, five or six trays of gold and silver and pearls and jewels, and several sealed envelopes containing cash! This book is available at Amazon.com. Links * Women
|
Copyright © 1997 Abadan Publishing Co. All Rights Reserved. May not be duplicated or distributed in any form
Web Site Design by |
Internet server by |
