Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-09
Marriage Ceremony in High Life at
Bombay.

An interesting description of Hindoo we'd
ding written by Sarah ID. Hamlin from Bombay
appears in a recent issue of the San Francisco
BuiIetin, and from it the following extract is
taken:
As it was growing late we felt that we had
waited long enough and prepared 10 proceed
brideward. This seemed to be the signal for a
new departure and procession was again
formed. At the brides house few changes had
been made, but a 'choree" or marriage hall
had been formed by placing at each Of the
four corners of a square earthenware water
vessels, one above the other. and held in
position by supports of bamboo. In the
| center was the sacred fire. Hardly had
we arrived when everybody took seats
AZ before. though the cashmere -shawled
father did not appear, and the bride aud
groom no longer sat opposite each other.
but side by side. The priests performed fire
sacrifice" before them and fastened the boy )
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 kriehna
and Ram, and then commenced a series OF
new performances. in which the brides groom 3
mOther-in-law was the principal actor.
First u great platter of food was brought,
which the mother presented to her daughter,
who first gave of it to her bridegroom. and he
then helped her. Red powder was put upon
the forehead of both again and again, not
only by the priest, ''bridegrooms mother-in-
law and the little brother, but by numerous
female friends. Again and again was the
immense platter resembling a paint shop
with its various powders brought forth Hands
IL bride had ,yith
red powder. which is an emblem of prosperity
anolnted with oil and washed with water
Hands were made to touch each other many
times and toes touch toes. We could see
that the brides little brown feet were
heavy with toe rings, whose pendants
half covered the foot, and the palmer
toe rings the mother was constantly 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 priet t, and he to he re-
plying TO her In an expostulatory manner
Then the brass bands would begin,
play a moment and stop, never by any acct
dent in harmony. As the noise subsidized for a
time an immense brass platter was brought
whereupon rice had been arranged somewhat
in the form of the letter Y, which is a mystic
symbol used in religious ceremonies from a
very remote period and signifying success and
happiness.
husband aud wife, exchanged their seats, and
then came congratulations. Almost aIl the
female friends came forward and mt silver
rupees in the brides hand. and stepping behind
her embraced her from behind ne were told
that this was the end.
so~oS o,sr,nrs Avn ,
'oN"'' oI'i INES AND fo"phh.
snr;,Llaa nv tho nr;ast al s,,u.a,,,;,,~-
sl;a-p p' anu eu' cunning
i Il' began 70 .hrow copper COINS upon IT.
an uhney SEEMED 70 De ,osslsg ior tne fortunes OF