Page:Madras Journal of Literature and Science, series 1, volume 6 (1837).djvu/316

294 ed in marriage when very young, but the union does not take place until the parties are at an advanced age, owing, it is said, to a deficiency in the number of females among them; some of the men are on the above account obliged to lead a life of celibacy. A plurality of wives, which is not uncommon, is only admitted in case the first proves barren, but a connection of such a nature cannot take place without the consent of the first wife, which must be obtained, and a widow is by no means restricted, she being at liberty to marry another many if she feels so inclined, but they often prefer remaining in widowhood. Chastity does not appear to be a leading virtue with their women.

The marriage ceremony is performed at the house of the bride; a pandal being raised before the door, under it the parties about to be united undergo ablution, they then retire into the house, and are seated on the floor, previously garnished, with their faces towards the east, a lamp is kept burning on a stool, also a measure full of paddy and a symbol of Vignashuer made of cow dung, on the head of which are stuck two blades of the arruvumpilla grass, to it the bride and bridegroom prostrate themselves, on rising, the relatives present the tally, a small golden trinket, to the bridegroom, who ties it round the neck of the bride, a basin of mirk being introduced in which is steeped some arisha leaves, Ficus Religiosa, with which the elder relatives sprinkle some of it on the heads of the bride and bridegroom; they then get up and prostrate themselves before their joint relatives, and the marriage concludes with an entertainment; on distributing beetle to the company, the bridegroom accompanied by his bride retires to his own house, where the day after he entertains the friends and relatives. The puryum or marriage gift is thirty fanams, and a cloth given by the bridegroom to the bride's relations; the money is converted into jewels to adorn her person. Estates invariably devolve to the eldest son; in case there be two or more, the property is equally distributed among them. They purchase their proedial slaves the Polians, the price of a male is thirty fanams, that of a female fifty. She is considered of more value for the children she may bear, who, when born, are the property of their master.