New-York tribune., 1900-04-01
A BRAHMIN WEDDING.
PICTURESQUE SCENES THAT ATTEND
THE CEREMONIES.
MRS. JACKSON PRESIDENT OF THE BENGA
BRANCH OF THE T. S. s., TELLS OF
CUSTOMS IN INDIA.


CUSTOMS IN INDIA.
Mrs Helen Jackson, president of the Bengal
QndIa) branch of the Tribune Sunshine Society,
gives some interesting facts about the marriage
ceremony in that country. She says:
Life in India presents to the Western visitor so
| many sharp contrasts. SO macy daily illustrations
of ancient times, that at every step one encoun-
ters strange and delightful pictures
There much of interest to be noted in the
customs of the women of India, and, although
half has never been told. There is one crowning
is her marriage Unlike her Occidental sisters.
this is not an uncertain factor, for every girl un-
counts for the overwhelming number of widows
For some unaccountable reason. the death rate
! is much higher among men than women. Polyga-
hand Of to1Inr % oil m % haonrns @ y r,atter of
course that she viii be left Then, as the ques-
ground, there literally millions of children who
are under the terrible burden entailed by their
Among Am @ Hind9os marriage takes place at very
in infancy. The berotha is more than an engage
hen1ni5 h IL Is as binding as marriage; and should
any other cause, five minutes after the funeral
ceremonies n5 are ended. the girl is much widow
ana SUBJECT to the penalties attaching to that
years.
comfortable position are passed uneventfully She
anG ay dsEn posSi4y have few lessons in needework
When she reaches seven eight years of age
approached by some neighbor's family which has
a marriageable son, he being possibly fifteen years
able tailors called in, travelling cloth mer-
e aske 59g sT and and qnnes a of
embroidered. Every in the family is fitted
are laid aside immediaey after to be worm nex
at the wedding Of another member of the family
Jewels are looked up and put in order. and amid
great rejoicngs the engagement ceremonies are
The young, wife. who has. however not yet
seen her husbands face goes occasionally to visit
her mother-in-law and BECOME familiar with her
the bridegroom is away at school college, and
mature age of ten or twelve years,
Now all the family brought together. Great
caudronS of food are prepared being cleansed and
cooked by Brahmns so that all may eat without
hundreds Of people are called in from highway and
hedge to make merry. Within the house all is
making up tinse ornaments and fire balloons, and
in hiring horses and elephants to go through the
| days.
| of bells and beating of drums were heard at
dusk. and we all rushed eagerly to the gate First
taned most likely, from the sale of CASTOR effects
| when regiment leaving. Their instruments
| were neither in tune time and they played a
| medley of gospel hymns and minstrel airs. which
After them came twenty white Arab horses
richly % With with cloth of gold d. saddle d cloths
stepping as proudly as though he he understood
loaded With rich trappings their great necks en-
| circled with large silver medalons strung to
Women stole out under cover of the darkness and
looked down from the balcony. Their brown arms.
encircled with ornaments, together with their
bright robes, made pretty picture
After the elephants came hundreds of and
boys bearing flambeaus. which constantly
replenished with castor oil by with a large
can like a gigantic watering pot This poured
cotton waste, famed high in illumination. Then
followed with great silver and fans,
and then a series of platforms holding tinsel
which contained flowers In the centre two
stored throne, with a gold and jewelled umbrella
over his head, dressed in robes that would stand
alone for richness, his neck laden with garlands
of the fragrant starry jessamne, rode the bride
groom. This structure borne by Be
hind came more lights and tnseI and music
Arrived at the house q great tent in wait