Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 9, 1898.djvu/163

Rh the relatives of the youth pay a formal visit to the girl's parents or guardians to ask them to allow the wedding-day to be fixed. If they plead that their finances are too low to admit of their yet entertaining the idea, this is got over by the gift to the girl of a further suit of clothes, in addition to that given during the betrothal, together with any other help that may be required.

A few days later, the relatives of the youth pay another visit to the house; and a propitious day for the marriage being duly appointed and agreed to on both sides, it is arranged that it shall take place on that very day. At this second visit some leaves of "Mendhee," or Henna (Lawsonia inermis) are brought, which are to be used in dyeing the hands, feet, and finger-nails, according to custom. It yields an orange-red dye, and is applied on the nuptial day by both the bride and bridegroom and their companions. Upon this visit sugar is also given, together with a singular string, made of yellow and red thread. This string is called a "Moullee," or "Gudhee," and is intended to register by a series of knots, or "Guddeeanh," the number of days between the day of the arrangement and the day when the wedding is actually fixed. This is done, not only to prevent a mistake, but also to give a pleasing daily interest in the approaching happy event.

After this visit is concluded, the relatives of the youth return to his house, and busy themselves with others in preparing and making up more "Moullees" for the guests who are to be invited to the wedding. As many knots are tied on the strings as there are days before the guests are expected to attend. They are afterwards sent round by special messengers to each of the guests invited.

Early on the day of the wedding, there is of course a great stir at the houses of both the bride and bridegroom, and some of the near neighbours soon make their appearance. A singular custom is now carried out at the bridegroom's house. This consists in placing him on an inverted