Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-06
HIND00 MA,

lace is only rare treat on week days, seemed
to be exceptionally busy, judging from the
number of times that he went In and out of the
church. l had, however, not long to wait
before saw some carriages roll up to the gate
and discharge their burdens, consisting of we'll
dressed ladies and gentlemen. This of course.
led me at once to conclude that marriage
ceremony was going to be performed.
very short time afterward. even before
1 had finished my pipe, 1 saw the
newly-married couple and the same ladies
and gentlemen come out of the church and
make for their carriages, in which settling them
selves. they drove off to their respective desti-
nations leaving me in great establishment to
muse over the rapidity and simplicity of the
whole affair My astonishment at the simplicity
OF the whole ceremony may be considered an
exaggeration by those who consider even the
gong TO church bore and who would rather
write letter to magistrate and get out a
marriage license and be done with the whole
affair; but they will believe nv word when
tell them that am used to marriage ceremonies
In lndia which last for days together, and in
NOiVe nights the performance of which would
severely test the patience of British clergy
man were he to try it single-handed. To Hin
doc, then. the marriage ceremony itself is a
great event in life, and if he is astOnshed at
the simplicity of the western ceremonies it is no
wonder.
Twill here try to give very brief account of
the different steps that have to lie taken before
q couple become husband and wife, and in order
to do SO properly l shall have to divide the sub
ject into three heads: FIRST engagement: Sec.
Ond, marriage; third, cOnsummatiOn of mar
riage.
1t may seem absurd to classify an account of
a marriage ceremony in the same way as one
would classify different periods in work on
history. but the reader will presently see that
this division is not arbitrary, and that the ma
ture of the subject admits of it,
Under my first head, viz, engagement, I
am afraid l shall have the unpleasant task
OF mentioning at the outset. perhaps to
the great horror of the British maiden
that the pleasures of cOurtsiip are un-
known to her sister in India. That most pleas
ant task OF studying each others character: that
most agreeable duty of finding out each others
aims and ambitions; those charming afternoon
walks when the future plans are discussed, and
many other such deli a.hts which nv ineXperience
will not allow of my mentioning are things un-
known To an engaged Hindoo couple. But
why! asks young maiden. who is, perhaps. in
full enjoyment of the pleasures that have only
partially been able to describe. Because, miss
the HndOOs are engaged in their infancy; nay
am ashamed to confess sometimes even be-
fore they are born; for it happens. though not
usually. that the mothers i'm friendly mood
make Il VOW to each other that if they give birth
to children Of opposite sexes they will be con-
siuered as engaged and HndOo vows are as
sacred as their religion, II not more so.
This being the unhappy state of things Court
snip anu It's pleasures are evidently nut of the
question But, however,. must not forget to
mention that these engagements before marriage
are rare and exceptional. and the proper age
for engagement is when the Child is three years
old.
On or about the third birthday of the girl, her
parents and other near relatives begin to show
anxiety about her engagement. and the barber
Oi the house Ia summoned to seek out husband
for the little girl. who is hardly able to lisp her
fahcr'S name.
l may meption here that the barber is a very
important functiOnary i'll every ilindOO house
hold No family can do without him. and if
the family is rich il employs barber of it's
own; but If not. one barber serves several fami-
lies.
The much-trusted barber, on receiving this
Oncrons commission. at once sets about i'm search
of husband. 1t very often happens that he
has his eye already on some family who has a
boy OF the same aye as the girl: but when this
is not the case he actually goes to the neighbour
ih@ towns or villages in quest OF one. II he
sees nIce-l0nkin@. healthy boy playing about
he at once. detective-like makes private in
Guries concerning the respectablity caste and
wealth OF the parents and if everything is sat
islactory he at once calls upon the pater fainilias
OIL the family and proposes for the boy. The
parents Of the boy. il they consider the pro-
poSal worth entertaining. at once send for the
pundit of the family and inquire of him as to
the Omnousness of the proposal This he is
supposed to determine by means of the guar
dian stars of the boy and the girl. The pnndt's
consent being given, certain religious cerrmo-
MES are performed, and the engagement is
reckOned as complete.
The parents of the girl, On hearing of the ac-
ceptance of the proposal. reward the barber
and.sive presents to their friends and relat ions
What amount of confidence is placed in the
barber can now he imagined, from the fact that
the parents Of the girl have not seen the bow but
yet allow their girl to be engaged to him, trust
ing solely to the good sense aud choice of the
barber. But 1t must be mentioned here to the
credit of this family functionary. that he Is as a
rule very faithful. and with the proyerbIal cum
ming OF his profession, makes the best choice:
yet it cannot be denied that fearful misrepre-
sensations are sometimes made, which In the
alter life OF these innocent children have dsas-
trOus results.
This system of engagement through mental
is pernciOus in the extreme, and do not know
how 1t has come about. I know French en-
gagements are very often made By the parents
of the parties, and the results as ia we'll known
are bad enough; how much worse the results
are likely to he if the engagements are made
through menal l leave the reader to con-
lecture. ..
The engagement being complete, come to
my second head. which is marriage. The mar
rage ceremony, as rule. takes place when the
girl is abont eight or nine years of age The
date is fixed by the mutual consent of the pa-
rents of the children. with the concurrence of
the pundlt OF the household. On the date thus
fixed the father of the bridegroom arrives at the
brides house with the bridegroom, and a large
party OF his friends and relations.
1t Is the bounden duty of the girls parents to
entertain this party well as they can for three
days All sorts Of provisions are made for their
entertainment, and to do this no amount of
pains and money are spent. The accommodate
ton and entertainment invariably cost so much
hat II the girls parents are not rich they get
into debt. so much SO. that marriage debts have
become prOverbial in India.
On the very first evening Of the arrival the
marriage ceremony is commenced. huge fire
Is lighted In room, round which the guests
and the couple to be- married sit, while the pun
dit goes on performing certain ceremonies At
about twelve O'Clock q corner OF the garments
OF the boy is tied to that of the girls, and they
are made to 60 round the goddess Of fire sew
eral times This completes the ceremony, and
the nuptia knot ia supposed to be tied, which
none. nay, not even the death Of the husband.
can unite.
The whole procedure IL fearfully firing to the
poor children, who very often faint with sheer
exhaustion. caused by sIeepiness and excite
ment. 1t IL more trying for tho girl than the
boy. for the former has to keep thick veil on.
SO that no one NAV have glimpse OF her face.
not even the husband. but who, perhaps, con-
sidering his age. would be the last person desi-
rous Of looking at his future partner for life.