The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-08-03

ports Of bamboo. In the center was the
sacred fire. Hardly had we arrived when
everybody took seats as before, though
the cashmere-shawled father did not appear
and the bride and groom no longer sat op-
posite each other, but side by side The
priests performed fire sacrifice before
them aud fastened the boys scarf to the
marriage veil of the girl. The wur mala,
or marriage garland, composed OF twenty
four strings OF red cotton, was hung around
their necks, their hands We're again joined
beneath the dirty scarf, the women sang
nuptial hymns IN honor of the gods krishna
and Ram. aud then commenced a series Of
new performances in which the bride
groOm'S mother-in-law" was the principal
actor.
First great platter of food was brought,
which the mother presented TO her daughter,
who first gave IL to her bridegroom, and he
then helped ter. Red powder was put upon
the forehead of both again and again, not
only by priest, "bridegroom's mother-in-
law" and the little brother, but by numer
Gus female friends. Again and again was
the immense platter, resembling a paint
shop with its various powders, brought
forth. Hands aud feet of bride and groom
were rubbed with red powder, which is an
emblem of prosperity, Amounted with oil
and washed with water Hands were made to
touch each other many times and toes
TO oh toes. We could see that the brides
little brown feet were heavy with toe rings
whose pendants half covered the feet, and
the palmer toe-rings the mother was con-
sJantly removing from one foot TO the other.
Louder and louder grew the nuptial songs,
and one high-vOiced woman, the leader of
the singers on our side of the
''choree, seemed to be firing challenges at
the officiating priest, and he to be replying
to her in an eXpOstulatory manner Then
the brass bands would begin play a moment
aud stop, never by any accident in har-
mony. As the noise subsidized for time an
immense brass platter was brought, where
upon rice had been arranged somewhat in
the form of the letter Y, which is mystic
symbol used In religious ceremonies from a
remote period and signifying success and
happiness.
Into the angles of the cross red powder
was spriukled by the priest, and surround
ing friends began to throw copper coins
upon it. They seemed to be tossing for the
fortunes of the young couple, one of whom,
who seemed so weary and Disguised, and
halt-blinded by the smoke, was repeatedly
yawning and looking around as if to ask
il relief would ever come, while he was
nearly roasted by the fire, so near which he
was obliged to sit A pan was brought in
at this part of the proceedings, in which
were two or three kinds of meal. Ghee, or
| clarified butter. being put upon the flour,
the officiating woman, or the "bridegroom's
motherin-law," proceeded to stir it with
her hand and to make kind of dough, of
which bridegroom, bride, mother-in-law,
and priest each took little and dropped on
| the fire, which was now burning brightly.
Finally bride and groom arose, and he,
with one arm around her neck. embracing
her as though she were porcupine and he
were afraid of the quilts, they proceeded
around the ''choree." guided by the priest
and pausing at each Of the four columns Of
earthenware pots, where appropriate signs
of worship were made. Singing, gesticu-
| lating and powdering followed, and as they
sat again the sacred betel-leaf was given to
each, and they placed it upon the fire. Four
| times they made the circumnambulation
and we were told that if by any chance
this was done only three times it was no
real marriage.
| On the fourth return bride and groom,
now husband and wife. exchanged their
seats, and then came congratulations. Al
| most all the female friends came forward
and put silver rupees i'll the brides hand,
and, stepping behinG her. embraced her
from behind. We were told that this was
| the end.