16 S. C. Das — Marriage Customs of Tibet. [No. 1, 



maternal uncle of our daughter, and also her relations and friends, agree 

 to the proposal, it will be possible for us to accept the long-chang ; but 

 otherwise we must return it." 



It is therefore necessary first of all to arrange the marriage 

 business with the maternal uncle. The proverb says, " Both in marriage 

 and merchandise there should be no kind of solicitation." So the party 

 that has won the maternal uncle over to his side need not shew any 

 anxiety for the acceptance of the long-chang. 



If the bar-mi can any how induce the parents to drink a cup of 

 wine from the long-chang the betrothal is effected. But they studiously 

 avoid partaking of anything pei'taining to the long-chang before con- 

 sulting the maternal uncle. 



Marriage Ceremonies op Tibet (U and Tsang). 



After accepting the long-chang the parents of the maiden in consul- 

 tation with the long-mi, called bar-mi in Sikkim, and the astrologer fix 

 an auspicious date for celebrating the marriage. 



The bridegroom remains at home. His friends and relations 

 proceed to the house of the bride's parents to fetch her. No music 

 nor dancing mark a Tibetan marriage at the outset. 



On the appointed day the parents of the bride make the necessary 

 preparations for receiving the bridegroom's party who come dressed 

 in their best apparel. Being seated on low or high cushions, accord- 

 ing to their respective rank and position, the guests are regaled with 

 tea and wine and dainty dishes. A quantity of barley flour, red 

 potatoes, biscuits and cakes in wooden trays, and meat (boiled, dried 

 and raw) in brass and silver trays, are placed before the principal guests. 



In the meantime the bride is taken to her toilet. First her hair 

 is washed, to which she reluctantly submits, shedding tears at the 

 idea of separation from her parents and friends. These try to console 

 her with kisses and show of affection. Her nearest female relations 

 come to soothe her mind with kind words. The bridesmaid (sent from 

 the bridegroom's parents), comes to help her in her toilet ; She plaits 

 her hair and dresses the locks in the form of a crown decorating them 

 with strings of pearl, and turquoises. She then puts on her ornaments of 

 gold and silver, coral, amber, ruby and other precious stones. 



The marriage festivities generally last for three days at the house 

 of the bride's parents, when their friends and relations avail themselves 

 of the opportunity of shewing their good- wishes to them by making 

 presents to her. The parents first arrange for the dowry, then the rela- 

 tions send their presents, and last of all come the personal friends and 

 acquaintances of the bride to make the bridal gifts and to wish her a 



