20 S. C. Das — Marriage Customs in Silikim. [No. 1, 



PART II. 



Marriage Customs in Sikkim. 

 The marriage ceremony takes place generally a year after the accep- 

 tance of the Nag-chang though it is not unusual with the rich to have 

 it performed after six months when the parties to be united are of proper 

 age. On this occasion too, the influence of the Ashang (maternal uncle) 

 continues to he paramount. The party of the bridegroom entertains 

 him w T ith rich food and wine to obtain his final sanction to the marriage. 

 The entertainment that is given to him is called den-chung. The suitor, 

 however poor he may be, must, at least, contribute a roast fowl to 

 the dainty feast that is prepared for him. 



The bar-mi (intermediators) settle the price of the bride with 

 her parents, who say that the gem in question being very valuable 

 cannot be parted with easily. At last the price is settled, which among 

 the poor people of Tibet living in the frontier generally comes to a few 

 score of tanltas or srangs, according to the resources of the bride- 

 groom. The bar-mi then take the permission of the bride's parents to 

 appoint an auspicious day for celebrating the marriage ceremony. 

 This done their duties are at an end. 



The maternal uncles of the parties or their representatives now come 

 forward to conduct the marriage as dodag (managers). In Sikkim 

 and Bhutan the dodags are furnished by the respective parties with what 

 is called bar-zen (the mediator's fee) usually estimated at ten per cent, 

 of the price of the bride. 



So long as the marriage is not completed, the position of the 

 bridegroom is considered to be that of a suppliant beggar. In Tibet he 

 is received with some consideration, but in Sikkim and Bhutan his position 

 is far from being enviable. But as soon as the marriage is settled, 

 and the price of the bride fixed, his maternal uncle begins to assume a 

 position of equality with that of the bride's maternal uncle. 



He cites the common saying. " Ba-va me-na rienmi-kyab." Where 

 equality (of position) is wanting there should be no marriage. 



The question now arises where should the two parties meet to 

 conduct the wedding ceremony. The suitor's maternal uncle en- 

 deavours to have it done according to the old customs of the country 

 at an intermediate place between the residences of the two parties, but 

 the bride's party do not agree to this. At last the former yields to the 

 latter, and the wedding takes place at the residence of the bride's parents. 

 On the day of marriage the bar-mi again meet for the definite 

 settlement or payment of the price of the bride. They are paid the 

 usual mediation fee of five rupees or srang from each side. 



If the bride belongs to the higher class, *'. e., the nobility, she is 



