Page:Madras Journal of Literature and Science, series 1, volume 6 (1837).djvu/46

38 the intended bridegroom, go to the house of the future bride, and atk if it be agreeable to give their daughter in marriage to the person indicated. If agreeable to the latter persons, they signify their consent; and they give a she-buffalo to the persons who came to make the demand. On the road back, they kill this animal, slightly roast it, and eat it. The following" day the people of the intended bride's family go to see the purposed bridegroom : on which occasion the relatives of the latter shew every thing contained in their dwelling, or possession,, to the visitors. Whatsoever these find to be valuable, be it a cow, or any thing else, they desire that it may be given to them; and they receive a promise that it shall be given, though it is not allowable then to receive and take it away : they feast on ardent spirits and flesh, and then depart. The next day the relatives of the man, call together a few other people; and the whole proceed, carrying the cow, and other things, to be given as requested. The people of the woman's family kill a number of buffaloes, proportioned to the visitors; on half the flesh of which the whole feast together, while the other half is carried back by the visitors, and made to feast all their relatives. Another time, the man's relatives proceed to the other house, and give them a formal invitation. On the female's relatives going accordingly, the people of the man's house kill buffaloes, eating one half together, and giving the other half, with rice, to the visitors, who carry the same back, and with it feast their relations.

Subsequently, the mother and father of the man, go to the other house, and ask when it will be agreeable to the female's relatives, that they should come to escort the female; and when any day whatsoever is fixed upon, the precise place where the parties are to meet is specified. At this visit free use is made of spirits and flesh, before the visitors depart.

On the appointed day, mats are laid down for the bride to walk over, and spreading a mat over her for the sake of shade, they give to her all needful household stuff, or utensils; and, accompanied by a crowd of men and women, they go a short distance in procession to the place previously indicated. The mother, father, and relatives of the man, remain previously a little farther off. The people of the female convoy, call out to the others to come and fetch the bride; and then a mock fight, with stones and thorny brambles, is begun by the female convoy against the parties composing the other one. In the midst of