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282
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
(SEPTEMBER, 1907.
XXVIII. -Betrothal. 101. Butrothals are of two kinds :
(a) Barni is that which is according to the Hindu Scriptures. The parents of the boy and those of the girl propose thu betrutbal, and the priest appoints a day for carrying it out. On this date the boy's father sunds the priest and barber with somo ornaments and clothes, which the girl puts on. Some money is given to the barber, the priest, the nurse and the Brahman as their reward. A feast like the one vivon at the time of marriage is given, and a music band attends. The servants of both parties gut rewards. Then the giri's parents sund clothes and ornaments for the buy.
(6) Sagai or bota. In this casu a few oragments or, if these be not available, ole or more rupees are sent by the father of the boy to the girl through the priest or some elation. In order that the betrothal be considered permanent, the man carrying the opusments takes his food in the house of the girl's parents. No other ceremony is celebrated, nor any rewards are given. Nothing is sent by the girl for the boy,
102. In the Baoni Ceremony, in order to ensure betrothal, the wearing of ornaments and clothes and painting the forehead with sandal paste and distribution of rewards are necessary. In the Sagai Ceremony, the taking of food by the messenger and handing over of money or ornaments to the girl's parents is essential.
103. However, the continua ice of betrothal depen is upon the option of parties. 104. Betrothal can bu made after or before the parties are five years of age.
105. The consent of parents is essuntial for b trothal. If the woman be of age, then her parents also are consulted. If the father be dead, the perinission of the elder brother or the guardian is taken. It there be no guardian, then the own brothers and near relatives are the persons whose cunsunt is necessary.
103. If the betrothal is cancelled, one party pays the expenses incurred by the other, A list is prepared of all the articles exchangud at betrothal.
XXIX. - Marriage. 107. Marriages are of the kinds:--
(a) Bed-lagan. - The brid groom, wearing a bridal chaplut or wreath on his head, goes to the house of the bride with music and attendants. The girl's parents give two or four feasts aeosrding to their capacity. The bhanuver (marriage survice) is recited. After the bed-lagan (matrimonial ceremony) the party is dismissed. The bridegroom comes back to his house and gives a feast, and the marriage festivities continue for some days. Prizes are given to his own menials, as well as to those of the bride. The bride pays some monuy to the inen who accompanied the bridegroom to the house of the former and rice rered. The rewards and prizes are given according to the capacity of the parties, and there is no fixed rule for this. The recital of the bhánwar is essential in such marriages:
(6) Jhajra or Gader. - One or two men representing the bridegroom go to the house of the bride, where one person from every family in the village is present. They are given either dinner or a supper by the bridegroom. The priest, the barbes, the musician and other menials of the village are given four anuas cach, or at the most one rupee each, as their remuneration. The bride is brought to the bridegroom's housu. Ganesh is worshipped, and this is essential.
(c) Bardani. - The bridegroom sends a woman to fetch the bride. One or two women come wish the bride also. Ganesh is not worshipped nor any prizes given.
108. In the case of the Bed-lagan the recital of thánwar is necessary, in the case of the Jhajrá the worship of Ganesh, and in the casu of the Gâdar nothing. I
109. There is no custom of seizing the bride forcibly. Two or three days after the carriage, is the wire by of age, the ceremony of union known as the posman sammit karam (the union of man and woman) is performed. The priest appoints an auspicious date for this purpose. On that date une common bedding is laid for the pair. The husband, according to his capacity, gives some
