Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1881-01-07
A Hindoo WeddIng---young Brides and
BriderrOoms. l rer

The Hindoo's bane is his early mar
riage, When he is OF the tender age Of
five or six years the first ceremony, or
betrothal, are enacted with great splen-
dor. And when he is about twelve the
final marriage takes place. The choice
of a wife does not rest with the man,
nor in fact have the contracting parties
anything to do with the marriage. From
the time boy is born. which, by the
way, is amatter of great rejoicing, moth
ing Is spoken or thought OF except that
which concerns his future wife. The
father casts about him for a suitable
connection, and having settled upon
certain family negotiations are at once
opened. Money Is, of course, the guild
ing spirit throughout, and the price in
the shape of jewels, cattle, land or val
uables is exhaustively discussed, some
times with zeal bordering upon the
ridiculous. The little maiden is natur-
ally too young to take part in the dis
cdssion, and the only stipulation re-
quired as to her personal charms Is that
she be neither blind nor lame. IL by
any chance the damsel becomes thus
afflicted after the conclusion of the con-
tract, the father of the bridegroom has
to remain by his contract The Hindoo
never dreams of love. 1t is not III his
composition. He loves his eldest son,
but then his affection is simply selfish
one; for the Hindoo faith declares
that no man can enter heaven un-
less his son attend his obsequies.
His wife is ne. companion. She is
only slave and the mother of his chill
Hrns ENv Nl,nA ,.I frx,.. ,,r~l,N
else, is her presence tolerated in the
house. Among the natives in India there
Is no courtship. The first time an ex-
pectant bridegroom sees his wife is on
the night of his final betrothal. Then
for the first time he learns her name.
The marriage ceremony of an eldest
son is season of universal merriment
The festivities last for about month;
and many a marriage entirely ruins
prosperous and business men, us well as
landholders and the better class of
raiats. Anything that can conduce to
the grandeur of the entertainment is
literally obtained and literally dis
pensed. Music, dance, song and fire.
works are the order of the day and
night. The preparations for the festiv-
tiles are curious. Large shantidnds, or.
tents, open at the sides, are pitched in
vacant spaces, the ground is covered
with du,7ies, or carpets of native man.
ufacture. Frames for letting off fire.
works are placed in front of the tents
and pits in which to explode crackers
are prepared. The bridegroom's pal
a,,kiis or litter is blaze of gold, tinsel,
scarlet and purple. This extraordinary
open litter is carried by men, as a shaft
projects from the back and forepart of
the bed. In it sits the bridegroom. He
is gayly clad and looks frightened. He
is surrounded by lookers-on, musicians,
and, if at night, by torch-bearers with
| flaming fire poles and lanterns. The
music is tho enlivening feature of the
procession. With the Hindoo melody
has no chance; his only desire is noise.
The tom-tom or drum is an especial ia
vorite with the natives of Hindostan.
1t is unlike the drum used by Europeans.
| In shape it resembles an egg covered
with tight goat parchment. No sticks
are used in beating, but laundering
"tom-tom" is maintained by striking
with the open palm the villalnous parch-
ment. Then many of the musical party
manage to secure at auctions some an
cient instruments belonging to regi-
mental band, chiefly of the fife kind. The
whole night is spent by the bridegroom
in parading the village, or as is more
POLITICALLY known as visiting. The lit
tie village turns out in honor of the oc-
casion, and much money is spent by the
unhappy sponsors over the festivities.
Perhaps after two nights have been
wasted in this idiotic manner, the dane
ing and feasting commences. Among
the many scandalous customs of the
Europeans, our dances are considered
by Hindoos as the most indecent.
When the natives first see an English
ballroom they blush in spite of them
selves at what they consider fragrant
outrages OF honor and decency. Native
dances, or naucheS, us they are termed,
are performed by a certain class OF
women. These are not necessarily bad
many of them are women of great
wealth, as q successful danSeuSe is very
soon able to realize fortune by the
curious figures she postures and the un.
musically nasal songs she sings. Late
in the night the assembled guests
gather under the Shdmiand and watcl
the quaint evolutions of their favorite
"Itan." The place must be brilliantly
lighted; thousands of tiny, fickerine
oil lamps are placed in odd inches, OIL
are suspended from the ceiling. Chi
nese or native lanterns add their bril-
liancy to the festive scene. l wa:
present at one of the grandest nantche.
ever held in Allahabad. The place wa!
crowded with natives of the better
classes, and all the European swells o
Allahabad were invited to the enter
tainment. Champagne flowed lik,
water, and splendid supper, ordered
from the hotel, was set before the hun
cry and well-pleased guests. This vii
give some idea that the native, wher
be is earnest about entertaining, doe!
not act meanly. Madras Letter 10 Sa'
Francisco Chronicle.