The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-02-18
Marriage Among The Parsees.

The dignity Of women among Parsees is next
to European. Though no, visible in society,
the women mix unreservedly in the family,
It's conversation and affairs; tbeir time is
principally employed in making dresses for
their children working embroidery and in
,ervl,lting among themselves. The mar
'ages OF children engage the earliest atten-
ton OF parents. Marriages take place at
the age ot nine-a custom derived from tho
flindoos; Zoroaster moro wisely prescribed
fifteen. Instances have not bceu wanting
OF the betro,hal Of a boy OF three years of
age to girl of two. Some fifteen Years
ago, indeed, it was the custom iu Bombay,
and in some Of the cities Of Guzerat, to ar
range or negotiate for the marriage Of chill
drcn yet unborn. If the respective
wives of two friends become enciente, they
came to an understanding that, if one bore
son and the other a daughter, the infants
should be united in marriage. This state Of
things, however, exists no longer, aud ear
ly marriages a'e. now rare.
Sorne Of the priests, who have extensive ac-
quaintances with influential families, follow
the profession Of fmatcll-malers. At their
Instance, the parents Of the boy open ne-
gotla,ion with those of the girl, requesting
from them the horoscope or birth paper Of
the malden; aud :heu consult the astrooger.
who compares it with that of the proposed
bridegroom. Mutual Inquiries arc then
made. The parents Of the girl inquire par
ticnlarlv rs to the amiability or otherwise
OF the mother Of the future son il-law, as in
Parsce family, the hap Of the welded
g'r depends great. 10 behavior of
the moiher-in-law L. er, the husband
'bcing, like herself !, -. The as,rologer
having named The dav for the marriage, for
several days before, if the parties are rich,
continual dinners and nautches are given to
friends; beth males and females, and many
thousand Of rupees are thus spent. Orna-
ments and rich dresses are exchanged, and
valuable presents made to the bride by her
fathcr-n. law.
On the welding day, large parties are.
invited at both houses. The ceremony takes
place in the evening. The gentlemen are
accommodated with chairs and benches in
the verandah, and on the two sides Of the
road facing the house where the ceremony
is to be performed. while the apartments
are gallan,ly left to the ladies. On this oc-
cason, the former dress in "Jamas" and
"tlchoree," the full custom Of the Parsees,
while the latter array themselves in dresses
Of the most rich and varcgatcl coors, or
namen'ed with gold and j-weIry. The bride
grom goes in musical procession to the
house Of the bride. When the party is
accommodated, the nuptial ceremony is COM
menced, soon after sunset. 1t generally takes
place in hall or spacious room on the
ground-huor Of the house, where a galicha,
or carpet is spread. The bride and bride.
groom are seated close to each other, on or
namented chairs, and facing them stand the
dastoors, or priests, who repeat the nuptial
bencdctions, first in the Zond, and then in
the Sanscrit.
The ceremony concluded, a banquet fol.
lows.-The ladies are first served, and when
they have Quilted the table, it is relaid for
the gentlemen. Out Of respect for the.
Hndoos, the viands consist Of fish, vegeta.
hles, sweetmeats. fruits, preserves, &c. Eu.
ropenn and native wines are parlaken very
freely, and many toasts proposed. AS the
married couple are young, separate accom-.
mediation is seldom allotted: they usually live
in :he same house with the other mem bers
Of their parents family. The grey-headed
patriarch looks with pride and pleasure upon
the groups Of children. grandchildcn around
him. Europeans in Bombay have often wit
messed Sir Jamscljce Jeejeebhoy driving his
spacious open carriage along the public road
in the evening with half dozen little ones
beside him, and many following him in
other carriages.