The ritual of Bride ransom.

The rite of Russian ukrainian brides ransom is a traditional Russian wedding ritual. Traditionally this ritual was held as a spectacular performance and was prepared beforehand by best man and Russian ukrainian brides friends.

The first step was before the entrance of Russian ukrainian brides house or village. The villagers would ask for a pay from groom for the bride, in order the groom could go farther for his bride. In most cases it was a best man who payed the price, but sometimes a groom had to do it himself. So the groom had to show his strength in different ways, in order the neigh burs of the bride could see that he will be a good and strong husband. As he was doing the given exercises ( for example to saw a log), he was appraised or criticized.

The second step of the ritual can be a carried out in the house of his bride. First the groom had to overcome all relatives and neighbors of his bride near the gates to the house and then near the doors. And he never forgot to give sweets to the kids who were surrounding the house of the bride. On this case groom’s intellect was tested. He would be asked different questions and puzzles. If he couldn’t manage, his best man would help or pay back. When the groom could finally enter the house, he would need to find a place where his bride is hiding, or choose a right bride among several offered. And he shouldn’t forget to treat the bridesmaids with sweets and other different things.

After the tests according to the custom , groom was invited to the table, where the bride was sitting. But the seat beside her was already occupied by a man. And he had to pay. Then have the guests invited to the table.