New-York tribune., 1900-08-19
SCENES AT A SIPI FAIR.
A WIFE MARKET OF NORTHERN INDIA
PECULIAR CUSTOMS OF THE PEOPLE

Some six miles out of smla. the summer capital
OF India, at the bottom of deodar Cedar shaded
ravine annually takes place a great gathering of
NH people Ihe custom of having this holiday
dates back TO the time when SmIa was little out
or the way place in the woods and the Sipi fair
was event OF real Importance 70 ire iph nitants
Even now, chuprassy (messenger) and durwan
tooorKeeperl who have sometimes eye 10 a wife.
are ohiy one oegree more eager than Eurasan clerk
and British officer 70 celebrate the occasion which
means long day for everybody IN the lovely
pine scented woods of the Mahasu and Mashobra
ridges overlooking SpI
From earliest dawn the opening day the road
that winds from Sima, with sheer khud side
above II and Precipices below. through the black
tunnel OF the Sanjaoli bazaar, and out to the
Mashobra cedars. is one long stream of natives in
holiday dress Riding along It one sees the men
In clean white turbans and shirt-like chupkans,
with the chldder or sheet that wraps their loins
fresh from the wash, and iron shod slippers rising
into a turned-up point In front and drawn high
behind. as If miniature copies OF the creaking craft
that navigate the Jumna River In the plains below.
Nor must one forget the heavy iron tipped bamboo
in each mans hand The preponderating color.
however, is white. against which the gorgeous
brillancy OF the native woman's dress stands out
in high relief As one overtakss her from behind
one sees only the great Of carnation pink
gamboge yellow. II may be, softest green OF
the sarfs folds, with which this garlic smelling,
but withal exceedingly comely person, wraps her
above the bare, twinkng ankles. slung with silver
bangles that surTnount little pink dyed feet The
hill slouches. and there is no getting over
the fact and. aasi she chews that red astringent
abomination they call pan.
The hill girl is not like her purdah hid relative
OF the plains For though the sari is supposed to
hide her face as a matter Of fact it does nothing
OF the kind, and big almond shaped eyes with soft
brown irises and black stained lower lids laugh at
the sahib (1nglishman) he passes on his pony,
Just as they were laughing, a moment before he
appeared in the chatter husband and sweet
hearts and brothers that goes continually on
the journey and makes the throng one of the ner-
riest be found IN Northern India.
CURIOUS JEWELS OF THE WOMEN.
As for the woman's ornaments, they are so nu-
merous II is not easy to describe them. Here
must admit that the and the uglier she is the
more the probability OF finding a string OF big uu
cut turQuoises round her neck and amulet OF
hierogIyphic marked Jade above the elbow What
strikes one most. however. Is the ring-alas. too
often OF Birmingham lead or brass, and sometimes
three inches across-that tinkes with assort-
nent Of tiny pendants from her dainty nose From
the wrist to the elbow she wears what amounts 10
almost an armor plating Of glass bangles, so many
are they and so cramned upon another, and
her fingers glitter rings while upon her
bosom is a whole jewellers window full OF shells
and jade.
Then there are the children, wee tinse and trinket
decked mites of sticky greasiness. who are having
as good time their elders. and whose tongues
go if possible more rapidly. They sit astride
their mothers hip balance IN rckety jinrckshaw.
vehicle that has long established itself IN these
hills or sway from side to side IN dandy. slung
below a pole from mems shoulders. or trot con-