The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1889-04-25
A HINDO WEDDING.
Costly Magniticence OF the Odd
Ceremony.
Marriage Among the Poorer Glass Means
Financial Ruin-English Endeav0r to
Abolish the Customs of Ages-Man
Considered Woman's Superior.

Weddings in India are very impor'
tant affairs. A child is no sooner
born than the family begins looking
around for suitable match, and tC
study up some way OF eXceling theil
neighbors in the magniticenee of the
wedding. 1t is ruinous to the people,
as the only way they can raise the
money is to go to the money-lenders,
and once in their clutches there is nc
escape. They can not pay, and the
creditor only allows the family barely
enough to subsist on in the most mis-
cradle way, so the whole family suf-
fers, but, having done their best to
outshine their neighbors, they are sat
isfed. The English Government is
making great efforts to do away with
such weddings, and are succeeding a
little, but find it very hard to change
the customs of ages.
The one 1t was my good fortune to
attend was OF a different kind. Two of
the richest and most prominent tami-
lies in Bombay were to be united. 80
there was no necessity of economy.
Tie sun and daughter were abUut ilf-
teen and thirteen. The father OF the
groom had a sort of hall near the
house and temple, probablyfor such pur-
poses, where, after the invitations
were sent out, for week he and his
son received their friends. A band
played all the time, and Nautch girls
danced every afternoon and evening.
They only dance, or rather sway and
pose, one Or two at time, and it is
not an especially interesting perform
ance for European, but the natives
consider them the finest thing possible.
No entertainment is complete without
them, and to give a Nautch dance in
your honor is the greatest compliment
that can be paid you. We went one
evening to the Nautch dance. The
father and son sat there. and their
friends came and went, the bands play
ing, the girls dancing all the time-as
fast as one got tired another took her
place, and If she pleased especially
The guests threw her coins, etc. Each
guest, as he came in, paid his respects
to the hosts, and had garland OF
flowers hung around his neck; then
betel-nut was given him to chew, II he
wished, and he sat and watched the
dancing until he was tired. When he
left he was given two cocoanuts, one
for the bride and one for the groom.
The cocoanut is the emblem of good
luck. you are going on journey,
your friends sends you cocoanut as a
wish for pleasant trip.
The next afternoon we went to the
Wedding and found the two bands play
Ing and the yard full Of people. The
distinguished guests had places on the
veranda. The Parsee gentleman who
took us was the most noted one. so the
father and son came forward and knelt
before him. and were made handsome
presents OF shawls, etc. After a little
the groom came out OF the temple, fol-
lowed by all Of his female relations
gorgeous in red, yellow and mauve,
with all their jewels on. The saree is
wrapped around them and covers their
head. only allowing the front view of
their face to be seen. The brilliant
colors, mingled with the white dresses
OF the mon, all with garlands Of flowers
around their necks, under the palm
trees, made very Oriental picture.
He sat down in front of us before
some ashes and cooking utensils, SYM
bolical OF the ,desolate hearth he was
leaving. The women and priests prayed
and chaDted awhile in sing-song tone,
after which white horse, richly ca
parisoned, was brought, on which the
groom was placed, with his Young
sister behind him. He was dressed in
cloth-of-gold dress, SO stiff and heavy
that he could scarcely stand, with
high conical hat covered with jew
els. After waiting awhile for an su.
Sspicious omen, the procession started.
First band, then the distinguished
guests; we in full evening dress, they
I'm their white dresses, all OF us with
garlands Of flowers around our necks,
and carrying bouquets and betel-nuts,
while the servants carried the cocoa
nuts that had been given us; then the
groom, on horseback and all the fe.
male relations following; after them
the rest Of the guests, and a band
bringing up the rear. In this manner
we marched along the streets for about
khalf asmile until we came to the brides
house.
4 u was q beautiful sight, the garden