New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-27
THE BRIDAL NECKLET.
Hindoo Girls Betrothed with Thai Instead
Of a Ring.


In many parts OF india Hindoo girls are welded
with ring. but with neckIet. thai. At
the wedding OF The daughter of a leading native at
Moulmen there were present among the numerous
guests a Hindoo maiden and her lover. whose suit
had not far progressed his satisfaction. says
The London Daily Telegraph" While the wedding
ceremony was in progress thu young man suddenly
went up her. and. before any one suspected what
his object was. pulled thai from his pocket
and quietly tied it round her neck OF course
there a hUbbub and parental lamentations
this dramatic episode but 50 great is the
Grafton for the thah among HindoOs that no one
dared remove it from the neck Of the ast0nished
maiden All concerned. therefore. repaired to the
Marianne Temple, where the act was ratified and
the maid who went to the wedding OF her friend
fancy free left the scene as the legal wife OF a
bold and successful husband. A correspondent
writing 10 The Pioneer on the general use Of
the thaH says:
7 was the guest OF Christian family Of position
IN South India which had so TAR departed from
the ordinary rule which prevents women H9m
appearing before str2nsers that the mistress Or me
house had deputed her young daughter-in-law 20
nr1f,IssIy iSrEs5 vttS i@va1r,t &c ~ 7rIfch was
unique IN IT'S nature, and she had the SlghlsSt
suddenly struck WITH the absence Of The wedding
ring from her hnger and on my askins her IN, es
some reason She had attached ne ring 10 the chain
she WIS wearing round her neck. 1 could h9@,,
ever. % it, and felt sOmeW pCZLieI
TN her husband explained thar no wedding rins =
used the occasion OF a marriage. but for Il =
substituted the than, 10 which my hostess DAD
drawn my attention" 81
Among the Dravidians OF south India the hal
plays the same part The wedding ring amsas
the Christians IN other parts OF the world. W
marriage be SOleucCi2Sd without IT, il IS
small piece OF gold leaf in the shape OF CrcUm1e5
seed which is attached 70 a necklet Of worsteo
thread or silk. The BrahminS who celebrate taeIs
marriage according TO NediC rites have adopseS
us use, ana arter the sacred IRE prepared anu
~orShipped with ooIatioDs OF ghee. the hessinsss
or the Eocs are invoked, and the thaN is tied roh1
NE neck OF the bride by the bridegroom. and ths'
the couple so round the sacred FIRE. The Nahoia-
etan converts. IKE the Christians find 70 hard 70
give up th'S Attle jewel with It's happy aSSocAas
uonS ana IL meN Pc seen adOrning the necAs Q
JnelI WosnanklEd. 6Ut. Though the tbGU IS an ~
otc1ton mat sill is married. found much "
my surprise, that IN some Instances it diG TO-
necessarily imply that she was the wife o. az
partteUtaf iCdividuaL Within the precincts or ln'
Temple once met en- attractive looking Woniaa
dressed very Gracefully and decently, and 49, 49,
ne, iica leWelf5 with which she was adorned - -
man was displayed somewhat Ohtrusive.y. i 49,
Ter 20 De the member o. some highly -especta%s
tenlly. cut was SURPRISED 60 learn that she Vas,
geNa-tssSl thaadmatdeu Ot the god. and WSs. -
iSct. o@nctcg Slrl attached 10 the temple me
Is special caste ct these women. Who as soon -
they grow ont az g,rhcOd. taken q the tenP's
snd WIN muen ce1cmonla', formally faargsee Mr. y
meek ~ some man Of the caste. his class =.
SeuleSi4,e~ recruited trcW girls Sepnging 70 -
boyaS' BeVaurfF ana certain other castles, we. 4,
the absence " male issue, dedicat9 a 0aughtels
some deity. who, they believe viii give them sc'~