1893.] S. 0. Das— Marriage Customs in Tibet. 19 



found a family you should first do homage to the three Holies (Buddha, 

 Dharma, and Sangha). Secondly, you should extend your charity to the 

 poor and the fallen. Thirdly, your compassion to all living beings should 

 be unlimited. We come from our fatherland, the country of gems, to 

 open the mines of five precious metals, and to plant the root of genera- 

 tion. We have come indeed to execute a high mission, so do not close 

 the door against us. Open it that we may enter." 



Then the mother of the bridegroom, dressed in her best apparel, 

 with a tray containing the dah-dar and some barley flour mixed with 

 butter, in her right band, and with a jar full of milk in her left hand, 

 comes to receive the bride and to present her with the tashi-khatag and 

 che-mar (the buttered barley). The bride helped by two female at- 

 tendants alights on a stool which is covered with a rug containing the 

 figure of the swastika. She is conducted by her mother-in-law to the 

 marriage altar, and seated to the left of the bridegroom. 



The carpet on which they sit usually contains the figure of the 

 sivastika and the floor of the room is painted with a paste made of wheat- 

 flour, and water. The bridal party consisting of the kyel-mi and the su-mi 

 then enter the reception hall after tasting a little che-mar (buttered 

 barley), at the threshold. The friends of the bridegroom sit in the left 

 row, the seats on the right row being reserved for those who come on 

 behalf of the bride's parents. A sumptuous dinner is served to them. 

 In the meantime the friends and relations of the bridegroom come to 

 offer their tashi-khatag (auspicious scarves) to the married couple, and 

 to make presents to them. It is customary with them to supply the 

 provisions necessary for the entertainment of the first day. On this 

 occasion all the neighbours of the bridegroom also take part in the festi- 

 vities and make presents of cloth, gold, silver, &c, with auspicious 

 scarves according to their means and taste. 



Music and singing are kept up throughout the day. Then when 

 the auspicious hour of solemnizing the marriage arrives the Nag-chaug 

 makes offerings to the gods, and gives a new name to the bride, con- 

 necting it in some manner with the name of her mother-in-law. When 

 this is performed a small piece of wood, about six inches long, is held 

 to the lips of the bridegroom. The bride now sits in front of her 

 husband, and takes the other end of the wood between her lips. 



In the meantime a tuft of wool is placed in the hands of t^ie 

 bridegroom who draws out the fibres to some length. The bride takes it 

 from his hands and twists it into a thread. This is called the ceremony 

 of the first work of harmonious union. Then the party of the bride 

 separate from that of the bridegroom, and sitting in rows of seats 

 facing each other sing repartee songs. When the festivities terminate 

 the bridegroom dismisses the kyel-mi with suitable presents. 



