Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 9, 1898.djvu/164

140 basket, or "Kharrah;" and when seated thereon a twisted coloured thread, attached to which is a small ring made of iron, is tied on his wrist. This is called a "Gannah." When thus seated and adorned with the ring-thread, four men appear with a red sheet which they hold over his head as a sort of canopy. This being duly adjusted, the best man, or "Saballah," holds over it a drawn sword or large knife as a symbol of protection, iron being considered the most important defence against all demoniacal influences by both Mohammedans and Hindus.

The next person who appears on the scene is the village potter, or "Kubhâr," who brings with him a perfectly new earthen pitcher, called a "Ghurrolee " (a Sanscrit word). This "Ghurrolee" is then handed to one of a group of gaily dressed village damsels, friends of the bridegroom, who proceed with it to the village well or spring, and fill it with water. As they carry it to and fro, they sing in unison the well known "Ghurrolee" song, the principal words of the melody being, " Vah! Vah! Ghurrolee bhurneanh" which in English would be "Bravo! Bravo! we have filled the Ghurrolee." The pitcher is handed by the girls to the village barber, or "Naie," and then they all disperse.

The barber now takes a "Katora," or brass vessel, in which there is some "Dahee," or curds, and asks the sutrounding relatives and friends to put into it what they may feel disposed to give, usually copper coins, or even cowrie shells. This is held to be his perquisite, though he often gives a share to the village bard, or "Meerasie." The coins and shells being removed from the cup, the barber proceeds to anoint the head of the youth with the curds, and then lifting the "Ghurrolee," he pours its contents over both his head and body. After this he takes a paste made from a seed called Mainh," of a fragrant property, and laves the skin of the youth with it. The bridegroom then retires to change his clothes which become the property of the bard, or "Meerasie." On his return he takes