This saying has its roots in Mongolian wedding traditions. As you probably know, Mongolians are predominantly Buddhist. The local priest or lama, chooses a day for the ceremony. Once the date is set, the husband’s family is given a month to test the chastity of the potential bride. The father of the groom gives the girl a goat. She weaves a garland of flowers for the goat. There are certain flowers that she has to include like the great white Himalayan daisies which symbolise innocence. Into the garland she also weaves a lock of her hair. She places the garland around the neck of the goat.
On the day that the first petal falls from one of the daisies, the girl milks the goat. While she is milking the goat, she sings a traditional Mongolian folk song. The pail of milk is tied around the neck of the goat.
The groom then leads the goat from the family home of the bride, to the house, or tent, where he and his wife intend to live. If the goat stumbles along the path and spills any of the milk from the pail the girl is deemed to be not as innocent as she claims to be and the family of the husband can call off the wedding if they wish to.
It has been known for jealous rivals to sabotage the goat’s progress. One woman released a wild pig along the route. Another woman scattered hot coals along the road.
Once the milk had been spilt there was nothing the girl could to. No amount of tears would change the decision. She must resign herself to remaining unmarried.
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Wow... who would have thoght it was GOAT milk. Great tale. It's so believable it made me wonder if you understood that everything is supposed to be made up and totally fictional.
Of course, I know you are a great writer so... you understood and convinced me it was true anyway.
Great entry.
