Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1893-03-04
AT A CHILD'S WEDDING.
HOW THE LITTLE HINDOO
GIRLS ARE MARRIED.
The Intricate Ceremony Among the
Wealthy citizens of Bombay--It
Takes Nine Hours TO se-
curely Tie the Knot.

idea OF small twelve ,year-old girl
requiring nine hours to bind herself
TO tho man of her fathers choice
seems absurd in the extreme
Whether the outlay OF strength and
rupees that such an event incurs has
anything to do with the tenacious
prohibition of the second marriage OF
the gentler sex, says the Boston Tran.
script has never been explained. but
as the Hindoos are Il practical people
and an ayariclous people it does not
appear unlikely.
In the first place with them to ba
q woman and unmarried is little
short of q crime yet TO marry. OBJ
yiously, one must have money. As an
outcome OF this when daughters are
born to the poor Brahman he helps
them out OF the world by the simple
and negative method OF not giving
them food. One man admitted. quite
as matter OF course having followed
this up through long succession OF
twenty girl babies. But IL the baby's
papa has financial position that ad.
mits OF growing up and is Bombay
Hindoo (that Is with no prejudice
against Europeaus). you may perhaps
be hidden to one OF those high func-
tions that come for her az an age
when our children are playing with
their dolls In that case. allowing
for the variations in individual taste.
you will find the affair something ia
this wise:
On entering. the head OF tho house
comes forward TO greet you with a
profound salaami then all the stand
ing or squatting Hindoos follow his
example aud it is your duty to sa.
laam indefatigably in return, but At.
ways with your right hand. else the
company will think your manners ex.
ceedingly funny aud. what is more.
prove II by laughing. Tho bride and
bridegroom move about informally
speaking to ae iuaintances. The
groom shares with his Western broth
er the parade deal fato OF being zee.
cssary but unimportant Ito Is no.
tireable only for a high turban
studded with a priceless number or
uncut gems that make it look neither
comfortable nor brilliant
the bride on the contrary, srath.
or charming. Hor costume consists
merely OF tight fitting yellow India
silk bodice. with yards OF the same
material swalhed loosely about her
supple body. and one end thrown
over the hair. She is further orua-
mented by earrings finger rings
nose ring and bangles that reach 10
the shoulder; on her pretty ANKLES are
the heavy anklet chains that clnk as
she steps. Altogether she would be
a lovely and picturesque little object
II she were only playing In tableaux
instead OF pitiful real life.
y But all interest Ia her Is immedt.
ately snufled out on the arrival OF the
Nautch girls. They are two or moro
hired dancers whose performance
appears 10 be the most welcome and
wonderful feature OF the entire occ a.
sion. IN dress they are not unlike
our own ballet girls wearing from
fifteen to twenty gauzs skirts. tho
longest OF these reaches TO the feet
and the others are graduated to with.
in half yard OF tho waist Their So
called dance Is strange and weird
and after the first fifteen minutes ro.
inarkabIy uninterestiug. II Is made
up OF "a series OF impossible poses. IN
parts so slow as to remind ono OF the
last witches OF mechanical toy
when 1t is nearly run down. As an
Indian ballad has II;
They posture, bob, whirligig, wriggle like
eels.
And all tins time shuttle about on their
heels,
Keeping tins TO the plpsrs aud tonton.
ners' sfraina
With the clink OF their anket3 OF resonant
chains
When this has gone on until you
are exhausted and tho rest OF the nu.
diencs is reduced to q state OF on.
trauced breathlessnes5 tho really
sacred part OF the rites begins.
An adjournment is made to an outer
room with an earthen floor. in the
center OF which bright fire Is burn.
ing. Around this in tho presence OF |
many Witnessed the young couple
promenade solemnly seven times.
carefully clasping each others right |
hand. BY one OF tho Oldest customs
ever kept up they must go always to-
wards the right because IL is festive
occasion; should mistake bo made
and turn TO the left be- taken the
dircst misfor tune and sorrow would |
be the result anticipated. In tho
mean time priest tho dirt OF whose
once white garment Is supposed 10
add TO his holiness COOS about ma.
jest cally muttering lot OF mystical
words.
Finally this also Is gotten through |
with and The coolies enter bearing n
bowl OF richly buttered rice. Tho
groom then. as sacred duty. feeds
his wife, holding tho oily MIXTURE out
10 he" in his palm: afterward he par
lakes himself and does tho proper
hing in wiping his greasy mouth on
he silken gown Of his mother. in-law-
which last goes to prove that human
nature and the position OF that un-
ortune lady are pretty much the 4
iame the world over.
Later. when the feasting begins n
10. 4yL 10 Ia at