Page:Madras Journal of Literature and Science, series 1, volume 6 (1837).djvu/47

1837.] the beating, the assaulted party take possession of the bride, and all the furniture brought with her; and carry alt off together. The female's relatives return from that place to their dwelling. The day following this transaction the man's relatives locate the female, and the furniture brought with her in the inner open court of their house. Subsequently placing her on a stool, they pour water over her head in bathing. Beneath this stool, the younger sisters or younger brothers of the bride-groom ace concealed; and the water flows down over them. They take occasion, during the bathing, to snatch off the ring, from the bride-groom's finger. On her asking to receive back her ring, they strip off from one of themselves some valuable ornament, and give it to her, retaining the ring. Soon after, their hierophant (Jáni) comes bringing with him a cord, a turmeric rod, also a nut of the tree mesua ferrea, which he strings upon the cord, and taking these things together with the bride and bridegroom only, he goes into the woods, where a hut, made only of sticks has been before prepared, in which being seated, the Jáni wishes them both health and domestic prosperity, and ties the cords on the neck of each one. Afterwards they return to the house. Hogs and other animals are killed, and liquors brought, when they prepare báji (supposed from the use of the word in another place to be a son of olio, or mixed dish) and all partake of it. From this day forward, the parties are considered to be man and wife. They beat on drums; they give to the Jáni, rice, flesh, and liquor, and send him away.

2. The ceremonies attendant on the birth of a child.—As soon as a child is born, they follow the ancient custom (not explained). For a month after the birth the mother does not eat out of the household vessels. On the day which completes the month, they kill some animal, and prepare the flesh, they also procure liquor, and make bàji. The victuals is cooked by the mother of the child. They pour a small-quantity of liquor out upon the ground (as a libation) saying, "O beneficent goddess! preserve the child." They then distribute portions of prepared food and curries to the houses of their various relations. Those immediately belonging to the house, consume as much liquor as they please, and make báji: (here the word seems to denote a riotous banquet, or a feast).

Six months after, on a fixed day, they make Gáduthuvà (supposed to mean the same as Námacaruna, or ceremony of naming the child). On that day killing a hog, and procuring liquor, they make báji. They wash the feet of the child. The Jáni being come, he ties a cord from the haft to the point of a sickle; they divine by means of it. Having