The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1892-11-05
A HINDOO MARRIAGE.
QUEER sRAHMiN NupTiALs At A
CEREMONY At BOMBAY.

1ss Aoihsv-ia-Law ~ impsrtast Fac.
tor In Such Affairs - She IL In This
cenntTy-How . Wedding IL solemn.
sssd-~i-svi,I Use of Ceaersd Powder.
A. It was growing late we felt that we
Pad waited long enough. and prepared
20 proceed brideward. This seemed 10
be the signal for new departure. and a
procession WAS again formed. At the
brides house few changes had been
made. but 'choree" or marriage hall
had been formed by placing ut each OF
the -FOUR corners Of u square esrthen-
ware water vessels. one above the other.
ana held In position by supports Of BAN
boo. In the center WAS the sacred fire.
Hardly had We arrived when everybody
took seats. The priests performed fire
sacrifice before them, and fastened the
boys scarf to the marriage veil OF the
girl. The wur mHla, or marriage gar.
land, coInpe ed Of twenty-four strings
OF red cotton. was hung around their
hecks, their lands were again Joined be-
meath the dirty scarf. the women sang
nuptial hymns in honor Of the gods
krishna and Ram. and then commenced
. series Of performances in which the
bridegroom. mother-in-law" was the
principal actor.
AoTaER-'N-LAw TAKES A HAND.
First \ great platter Of food was
brought, which the mother presented 10
her daughter. who first gave Of 1t to her
bridegroom. and he then helped her.
Red Sowder 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 numerous female
friends. Again and again was the i'm
mense platter resembling paint shop
with its various powders brought forth.
Hands and feet Of bride and groom were
rubbed with red powder. which is an
emblem Of prosperity. anointed with oil
and washed with water. Hands were
made 10 touch each other many times.
and toes tonch toes
We could SEE that the brides little
brown feet were heavy with toe rings,
whose pendants half covered the foot,
and the plainer 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 i.,aller Of the singers on our
side of thc ",aoree." seemed TO be firing
challenges a. the officiating priest, and
he TO 10 replying 20 her in an expostu-
lAtory manner. Then the brass bands
would begin. play moment and stop,
never by any accident in harmony. As
the noise subsidized for time an immense
bras platter WAS brought wherrupon
rice had been arranged somewhat in the
form Of the letter X. which lis n mystic
symbol used in religious ceremonies
from very remote period. and signify.
ing success and happiness.
SONGS. GESTURES AND POWDER.
Into the anglers q! the cross red powder
WAS sprtnkl-d by the priest, and sur
rounding friends is.gan TO throw copper
coins upon IL They seemed 10 be toss.
ing for the fortunes Of the young couple.
ole IL whom. who seemed ~ weary and
Disguised and half blinded 10y the smoke,
was r~Ica'ssily yawning and looking
around as II 90 ask IL relief would ever
come while he was nearly roasted by the
fire. ~ near which he WAS obliged 10 sit.
\ pan was brought III Mt this part Of the
ih"sf~ainss IN which were two or thrss
Kinds al meal 'h~c. az clsrihed butter,
'Sins put upon The Hour the oihc'a'ins
woman OF 10" bHdesrooms moiher'm
Jaw ifuoes<i"i to star II with her hand
aha !" make KIDD OF dough. oil which
nTaeer"om' bride. mofher'in-law and