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then taken out in procession to a rivulet or jungle spring close by where her legs and hands washed. She takes water there in four small copper vessels. Returning home she washes the feet of the elder male members of the place with the water she carried apparently in token of respect, and also as an indication that she is no more under pollution. 9. Marriage - Marriage are contracted by mutal arrangement between the parties with the previous consent of the parents. The father or uncle of bridegroom goes to the bride's guardian with a necklace of beads which on his acceptance of the match is handed over to him. On the wedding day the bridegroom and the party proceeds to the bride's house with cloth, brass bangles, rings and ear ornaments which are give to her. Both parties dance in merriment round the girl, the blessing of the god is invoked and the headman on behalf of the god blesses the couple. The bridegroom taking the hand of the bride, another dance follows. After the feast the bridegroom departs with the bride to his hut where a dance and betel-nut and tobacco bring the ceremony to a close. Marriage is not permitted before puberty Alliances with a view to marital union frequently begin with clandestine meeting of the lovers and the girl usually elopes with her lover to the latter's hadi. A search for the girl is made and she is usually traced to one of the neighbouring houses. The men of either village then meet in conference and a settlement is made. It is interesting to record that at the moment of our visit to one of the villages there was an instance of such marriage. Though the men turned up for the anthropometrics measurement, the women mysteriously enough kept back for a considerable time. On enquiry it transpired that a young girl of the neighbouring village had eloped with her lover to the latter's hut, and the women fearing reprisals from her village were keeping a loof. They were however persuaded to come and among the group was the girl looking perfectly happy and cheerful, the daughter of one of the prominent men of the hadi. Her lover was also a prominent man of the neighboring village who had three wives previously. There is no limit to the number of wives a man may have, though this is naturally determined by the man's economic condition. The marriage tie is also not inseparable, the wife being free to leave her husband's houshold, if he brings another girl to his hut as his wife against her wishes, or for other sufficient reason. A separation takes place which is settled by the elders, the daughters going with the mother and the sons continuing with the father. Polyandry does not prevail, the woman having but one man as her husband at a time.
108 C
THÚ Yg Bich 129
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