5.3 Objects relating to the Secular and Quasi-religious Rites, Pageants, and Drama
Accession date:
1944
Context of use:
Paper gown for burning to male human being who died before marriage. This is a bright-colored gown, much gayer than any gown burned for people who were married at time of death. These gowns are of a "fancy" nature because brilliantly colored gowns are worn at weddings, and these bright-colored gowns are for the wedding of the departed. They are burned only to the man, and the action will take care of the bride at the same time. When an unwed person dies, someone else of appropriate age from the community who has also died, or who dies before the first to die comes of the age of marriage, is chosen to become the other party in the union of marriage. Finally, on the "Halloween" observance, the gown is burned wit the idea of the culmination of the wedding ceremony. (see 9-2011)