The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1904-12-29
now Hlnooo rAkss A Bride.
Simple Act by which swesthsArss
Become Man and Wife.

4
si-p Act by which swesthsars'
Become Man and Wife,
In many parts Of India Hindoo girl
are welded. not with q ring but with
necklst or thali. says the Londor
Telegraph. Al the wedding OF the
daughter of a leading native at Moul'
mein there were present among the
1 numerous guests 4 Hindoo maiden and
her lover. whose suit had not 10 far
progressed TO his satisfaction While
the wedding ceremony was In progress
the young man suddenly went up to
her and. before any one suspected
what his object was. pulled out
thali from his pocket and quietly tied
II around her neck. or course. there
was u hubbub. and parental lamenta'
tons over this episode. but 50 great
Is the venera ton for the thai among
Hindoos that no one dared remove II
from the neck OF the astonlshed maid
en-. All concerned therefore repaired
to the Marrismme temple. where the
act was ratified and the maiden who
went TO the wedding OF her friend fan
cy free left the scene as the legal wife
OF bold and successful husband.
A correspondent writing ON the gen
eral use OF the thaii says:
Il was a guest OF Christian family
OF position In South India which had
so far departed from the ordinary rule
which prevents women from appear
ing before strangers that the mistress
OF the house had deputed her young
daughter ln-lsw 10 represent her as
hostess. The young lady was profuss-
ly decorated with Jewelry. some OF
which was unique in its nature. aud
she had not the slightest objection 10
Its being admired. AT dinner was
suddenly struck with the absence OF
the wedding ring from her nnxer. and
ON my asking her the reason she shyly
pointed TO her neck.
This seemed somewhat strange. but
| thought that probably for some res.
son abe had attached the ring TO the
chain she was wearing around her
neck. could. however. see no trace
OF IL. and felt somewhat puzzled Till
her husband explained that no wed
ding ring Ia used on the occasion OF a
marriage. but for II Is substituted the
thai. To which my hostess had drawn
my attention
Among the Dravidisns OF South In
dla the thali plays the same parts as
the wedding ring among the Chris
tinns IN other parts OF the world. No
marriage can be solcmnlxed without H.
IL Is a small piece OF gold leaf In the
shape OF a cucumber seed. which 1.
attached To necklet OF worstsI
thread or silk. Tn. Brshmins. who
celebrated their marriage according TO
yedlc rites. have adopted its use. and
after the sacred IRE l. prepared and
worshiped with oblation OF ghee. the
blessings OF the gods arc invoked and
the thali IL tied around the neck %
the bride by the bridegroom. and then
the couple 60 round the sacred rr~
The Mohammednn converts. liks the
nnd II hard 10 give up thu.
little jewel. with It's happy a-socia. /
hons. and II may be seen adjoining the 4
iecks Of their womankind.
"But. though the thnli 1. an indies.
Ion that a giri Is married. ! found.
much 10 my surprise. that In some In
Itances II did not necessarily Imply
hat she was the wife Of any particu.
ar Individual. Within N. precincts Of
he temple I once met an attractive
ooklng woman. dressed very graceful.
y and decently. and amid the rich
.welry with which she was adorn~a
he thali was displayed somewhat OBJ
rusiveiy. I took her 10 be- member
{ some highly respectable family. but
vas surprised 10 learn that she was
nyadassi Chand. maiden Of the gD,J
nd was. In fact. dancing giri at
nched 10 the temple. There IL sp,.
lal cnse OF these women. who. as soan
= they grow out OF girihood. arr taken
D the temple and. with much ccrc-
ionlal. formally married 10 n sword
r a god. the thalIs being tied round
ielr necks by some man Of the caste. !
his class IL sometimes recruited from
iris belonging 20 the Royas. Bcbau.
rs and certain other castles. who. In
10 absence OF male associates. dedi.
,te daughter to some deity"
I