Note 103 — D. (continued 2)

Marriage ceremonies. 12. The marriage ceremonies begin with the digging of the sacred earth (matti khan), which is done by the women, each of whom receives some oil and red lead to decorate the parting of her hair. The earth is brought and placed in the marriage shed (mânro), in the centre of which a ploughshare is erected. Each woman gets some cakes and in return presents four annas as a contribution to the expenses of the wedding. The marriage ritual is of the normal type. When the boy starts to fetch his bride, he is armed with a dagger (katâr). He is accompanied by a party of musicians (bajaniya). On their arrival at the bride’s house, the boy’s father sends the bride some cheap jewelry, known as dal, which is placed in the marriage shed. The friends all get drunk that night. At the actual wedding, the bride’s father worships the feet of the bridegroom, and then an offering is made to Gauri and Ganesa. The pair have their clothes knotted and walk five times round the shed. After this the bridegroom goes into the oratory (deoghar) and worships the family gods of the bride. At the door as he comes out, the bride’s sister bars the way and will not let him pass until she receives a present, apparently a survival of marriage by capture. After the husband brings his wife home, the brethren are fed and Gangaji is worshipped in the way already described.103