Chapter 14
THE PRE-MARRIAGE RITUAL in the Bedouin custom began the following day . The first step was that the groom's father or someone related to him were to ask the bride´s father her hand on behalf of his son. As it was necessary that this role were performed by a grown- up male, Faisal's father agreed to play it. Faisal and his thus presented themselves at Abdullah´s regal tent where the latter was waiting for them with the traditional brewed coffee. As prescribed by the custom Faisal´s father Karim abstained from drinking the infusion up to moment in which the Sheik agreed to grant his daughter´s hand. At that time women from both families came together with songs and laughter to celebrate the decision to carry out the marriage. The next step was discussing the dowry that the groom'
