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



riding on a white horse). An amulet containing some mystic charms to 

 protect her against evil influences and the evil spirits of the ten quarters, 

 is now worn by the bride. This is considered very essential for her well- 

 being at this time. When a bride proceeds to her future home unprovided 

 with this indispensable safeguard she is sure to fall under the malignant 

 influence of evil spirits. For during her journey from the place 

 where the farewell wine is served, i. e., where she parts company with 

 her parents and friends, and the place where she is first received with 

 what is called the welcome-ivine, she is not accompanied by the guard- 

 iau spirit either from her. father's side or from the bridegroom's 

 quarter. As soon as the bride approaches the house of the bridegroom, a 

 second batch of su-mi (people sent to receive the bride), dividing them- 

 selves into three parties, wait at three different stages on the way to 

 refresh her with the welcome-tvine. At each of these places she stops 

 a few minutes to receive the icelcome-wine and the auspicious scarves. 



As soon as the bridal party arrives at the gate of the bridegroom's 

 house, his friends, fearing lest some evil spirits may have followed the 

 bride from her father's place, make arrangements to drive them off. For 

 this purpose they bring the devil's effigy made of cloth or barley, painted 

 with coloured butter, and throw it on the ground before the bride. The 

 hyel-mi, i. e., those who have come from her parents' house to escort her, 

 here take offence at this demonstration of groundless fear on the part of 

 the bridegroom's people. They keep a sharp eye on the man who throws 

 the devil's effigy, and, if possible, catch him in the act and tear his 

 clothes to pieces by way of punishment. They let him off on ex- 

 tracting from him the promise of the payment of a fine of two or three 

 srangs. In their turn they now try to find fault with the arrangements 

 made for the bride's reception. It is customary to hang a piece of long 

 silk scarf from the top of the gate on the occasion of the arrival of the 

 bride. The bridegroom's people let the scarf drop for a moment and then 

 lift it up. The bride's friends try to catch it and take it away to the 

 bride's parents in token of their triumph over the bridegroom's parity. 

 Then the officiating Tantrik priest recites a few benedictory verses, &c, 

 describing the door, house, &c, of the bridegroom. 



" Hail, self-existent Dharma ! Let there be happiness to all living 

 beings. The lintel of this door is yellow, being made of gold. The door- 

 posts are cut out of blocks of turquoise. The sill is made of silver. 

 The door frame is made of lapiz lazuli. Opening this auspicious door 

 you find in it the repository of five kinds of precious things. Blessed 

 are they who live in such a house. Let them enjoy long life without 

 being troubled with sufferings and dangers. Prosperity be theirs, and 

 let there be no limit to their wealth. O, happy couple ! If you wish to 



