A custom of ransom for the Russian brides in Russian traditions

A custom of ransom for the Russian brides is a part of the traditional Russian wedding ceremony. The ransom for the Russian brides has been demanded since XIII-XIV century. It is to be noted that different settlements had different songs and different tasks for the fiancé to fulfill to get one of the beautiful Russian brides. But at the same time there has always existed the certain sequence of actions and certain participants.The ransom for the Russian brides was traditionally asked in the form of a theater-like performance, prepared long before.Fiancé, the best man and the friends of the fiancé made the so called wedding procession. And Russian brides were bought out for ransom in several stages.

The first ransom for the Russian brides was asked at the entrance to the settlement, of on the road to the house of the Russian brides. The peasants stopped the procession and demanded the ransom for walking along the street to the house of Russian brides or crossing it. Usually, it was for the best man to pay the ransom, but sometimes the fiancé had to take part as well. Often the mighty power of the fiancé was tried. The road to the house of the Russian brides was blocked with the thick wooden log, and the fiancé was to saw it through. While he was doing it, he was mocked out from all then sides by the relatives of Russian brides. His skills and strength were laughed at. But when the log was finished with, the fiancé received water to wash his face, and the sumptuously embroidered towel to dry it.

The second part of the ransom of the Russian brides was to be given at the house of the future wife. Usually, when the fiancé came to her house, he had to buy out the gate, and the doors, covered by the neighbors and the relatives of the Russian brides. At the same time he shouldn’t forget to give sweets to the kids who always surround the houses of Russian brides.

The intelligence of the fiancé was tried as well. Usually this task was given by the relative of the Russian brides, grandfather most often. When the fiancé failed to reply, he could ask for help from the side of his beast man and friends, or good people from the Russian brides` relatives who were to be thanked for it.

When the fiancé managed with the tasks, he got into the house, where the new ones waited. First of all, he should give presents to all the girl friends of the Russian brides. Then he needed to find where the Russian brides hid, or to choose his sweet one from several Russian brides he was offered. As the spare Russian brides they could take neighbors, relatives, and even elderly women. This is why they needed to hide the height, the stature, shoes and other hints to his chosen one among the Russian brides.

After paying the ransom for the Russian brides the fiancé was invited to the table, where his Russian bride waited for him. But the place by her side was already taken by some man. And the fiancé had to pay him as well. Then the guests were invited to the table.

In the modern ransom for the Russian brides the friends of the bride are to prepare the scenario and to invent different contests, tasks, riddles.

During the custom of the ransom for the Russian brides, the fiancé is to show not his strength and intelligence, but the ability to leave the situation with the sense of humor, jokes, quick wit and good mood.

Sometimes even nowadays the traditional custom of ransom for the Russian brides is used, when the basis for the show is in songs and verses. But it is difficult to prepare such a custom for the Russian brides` wedding, as you will have to learn a lot. Besides, the interest is lost this way. It is advisable to have the ransom for the Russian brides paying out in the form of contests, riddles and tasks for the fiancé.