Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 7 1889.djvu/387

Rh dressed; rice and vegetables are prepared. On the wedding day the two village communities to which the bride and bridegroom belong are in festive commotion. No house is permitted to absent itself from the general gathering. In the bridegroom's house the male guests, in the bride's house the female attendants, busy themselves with bathing, dressing, and ornamenting the chief personage of the day. At the propitious hour both bride and bridegroom are conducted to the wedding seat in their respective houses. The guests put themselves in order. One after the other approaches the bridegroom or the bride, strews some grains of rice upon his or her head, lifts a brass vessel filled with milk from the ground and pours some drops into his or her mouth, puts a piece of money into his or her hand, and passes on. (134-135)

In the afternoon the bridegroom is conducted by his party in procession to the house of the bride. Then a new feast is provided. This over, the parties of the bride and bridegroom, each consisting of the representatives of their respective villages, stand in two rows opposite to each other. A lamp is lit between them. The bride's party, the Aruva being spokesman, asks the bridegroom's party, "Do you give our daughter, house and yard, field and jungle, gold and silver." This question is thrice put. When it is answered in the affirmative, the bridegroom's Aruva delivers three pebbles into the hands of the bride in token of her right to the property of her future husband's home. The bride is then conducted into the kitchen and seated on a stool. A light is kindled. The bridegroom is now brought in. He strews some grains of rice upon her head, gives her a little milk to drink, and makes her a present of some coin. He is succeeded by his parents and relatives, who salute the bride in the same manner. After this welcome given by the whole family to the new member the bridegroom takes the hand of his bride, bids her rise, and leads her into the outer room of the house. Thus the daughter bids farewell to the house of her birth, and renounces all her claims upon the family and property of her parents. Upon this the wedding party returns to the bridegroom's house. Again the guests are feasted. Then the Aruva of the husband conducts bride and bridegroom into