﻿A SECT COMMONLY DENOMIXATED NUTS. 467 



and they subject themselves to the displeasure of 

 tlieir hushantls, and are punished accord ing-ly. A 

 fault of that nature committed with any one not of 

 their own cast, is an unpardonable crime. 



Their marriage ceremonies are as follow. All 

 parties being agreed, and the day fixed on, they 

 assemble before the bride's house between 9 '"^"fl 10 

 o'clock at night. The bridegroom, accompanied by 

 all his relations, male and female, places himself be- 

 fore the door, near to which are fixed four plaintain 

 trees, forming a square large enough to contain the 

 company. He calls out with a loud voice, — " Give 

 me my Bride." The brother, or some such near re- 

 lation, guards the door, and prevents liis entrance, 

 nay, rudely pushes him away. The laugh is now ge- 

 neral against the poor bridegroom, and many aVe the 

 jokes on all hands played upon him. However, not 

 to be put off so, he makes two more attempts, calling 

 out all the while for his bride; v/hich proving ineffec- 

 tual, he in much seeming grief, (for the M'hole ap- 

 pears a farce,) retires and sits down in the centre of 

 the square, and theie in melancholy mood bewails 

 his fate. VVhen the parties conceis e they have suf- 

 ficiently tried the man's patience, they then inter- 

 cede in his behalf with the guardian of the door, who 

 bringing forth the bride, delivers her hand into tlie 

 bridegroom's, saying, " Here is your bride, behave 

 kindly to her :" She also receives an exhortation to 

 conduct herself like a good and obedient wife. The 

 bridegroom now taking a little red powder, which is 

 prepared for the occasion, makes a mark with it on 

 her forehead, calling out " This woman is my wed- 

 ded wife." The bride also marks the bridegroom's 

 face, repeating at the same time, "This man is my 

 husband." They sit down together, and the com- 

 pany arrange themselves in a circular form on each 

 side. The little fingers of his left and her right hand 

 being joined, they sit close together, so that their 

 H H 2 knees 



