Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 9, 1898.djvu/160



there is a son in a family of a suitable age to be betrothed, the father, if he have one, or failing him, the nearest male relative, and a friend or two, proceed to the house where there is known to be an eligible girl, and make the formal enquiry whether her parents or guardians are willing that she should be betrothed. Sometimes the question is at once answered in the affirmative; or it may be deferred, pending futherfurther [sic] negotiations, for a month or more, or even for a year. Anyway, those on the son's side are expected to return at once and give a full account of the interview to the members of the family, and to express their views on the probable result. When the consent has been really given, and ratified on both sides, the relatives and friends of the youth take a "seer" and a quarter of sugar (about two pounds) and one rupee, which they give to the relatives of the girl in the presence of two or more witnesses. This done, they all repeat together the prayer of peace and blessing, called the "Dhuah Khyr," and then partake, each and all of them, of some of the sugar. This is done to signify that as their mouths are sweetened by the sugar, so should all matters connected with the betrothal go off pleasantly. They then wish one another salaam, and part, expressing the hope that the betrothal may be a happy one. Upon this occasion neither the youth nor the girl is present, though of course they each form a very good idea of what is taking place.