Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 9, 1898.djvu/166

142 is recorded at the time. If the family of the bridegroom should be very poor, they would probably use this money for their own benefit; otherwise they would return it all to the parties after the wedding was over. While the register of these nominal gifts is being made, the bard, or "Meerasie," calls out audibly the names of the donors and the amount given, and he will say: "Is there no turban for me, or any other thing?" So it is customary at this time to make him presents. Should the family or others neglect this fee to the bard, they must expect to have rhymes and verses made up by him to their dispraise, and sung about the village. It is, therefore, thought better by all to keep friends with the bard. The only class of people who are under no fear of these bards are the potters, or "Kumhars," who turn these bards into ridicule on all occasions, and if they meet them at weddings they push them aside and indulge in all sorts of personalities towards them. These bards in consequence are never to be seen at a potter's wedding. It has been known that where a farmer has expected at a wedding in his house to have many of these bards, he has invited some "Kumhars" to keep them off; but when his neighbours hear of it they generally look askance at him for a time, so the practice is rarely resorted to.

We must now return to the wedding party at the bridegroom's house. They are all now preparing for a start to the house of the bride. Some of the women-friends proceed early and alone; others unite in a group, and one of the party beats a small drum, or tambourine, to give notice to the villagers. Shortly after these have left the house, the horse which the bridegroom has to mount, in accordance with old custom, is brought round, decorated with showy trappings and other ornamental accessories. While he waits at the door, the sister of the bridegroom, or nearest female relative, gives him a mouthful of corn, from her lap, and receives the accustomed gift. All eyes are now upon