Note 83 — Volume II.

Marriage ceremonies. The betrothal. 14. The selection of the bride is the business of the boy’s father. When he has made his choice he comes home and sends his brother-in-law, the tribal president (Mahto), and four or five other male friends to the father of the girl. If the proposal is accepted, the envoys are entertained for the night. Next morning the bride’s father summons his clansmen. A square is made with flour in the court-yard. Her father brings out the bride, who is made to stand in the square, and her father then calls on the friends of the bridegroom and the Mahto to examine her carefully and satisfy themselves that she has no physical defect. When they are satisfied the Mahto or brother-in-law of the bridegroom’s father fills the bride’s hand with dry rice and sprinkles some grains (achhat) over her for good luck. The bride then retires. Next the boy’s father sends for four annas worth of liquor, and the girl’s father for two annas worth. This is mixed, and the two fathers sit down with leaf platters (dauna) in their hands. These they exchange five times and drink the liquor.83 The bride-price is then paid over to the girl’s father, and the betrothal is considered complete.