1893.] S. C. Das — Marriage Customs in Sikkim. 21 



valued at 18 ponies (each pony being valued at Rs. 50), and a present of 

 nine articles called the gu-tshan consisting of the following : — a gold 

 mohar, eight ounces of silver, a silk robe, a matchlock, a robe of 

 thick Tibetan serge, called purug-go, khamar (wrapper made of raw 

 silk), baborma (a good milch cow with a calf), a silk scarf of superior 

 quality. 



The price of a bride among the middle class is estimated at 12 

 ponies and a present of five different articles. 



In the case of the poor the price of a pony is estimated at 50 lbs. of 

 butter. If it is understood that the bride will bring with her a male 

 and female slave her price is raised by two ponies, and the entire carcass 

 of a pig or sheep thrown in. 



The value of a bride among the common people is fixed at four 

 ponies with a present of three things called the sum-tshan. 



According to the common saying of the country, the price of a 

 bride is in fact due to the mother. In Tibet it is called nu-rin (the price 

 of mother's milk). The mother does not personally accept it on any 

 account, but when parents do receive it according to the usage of the 

 country, it is understood that double the amount of the price received 

 should be given to the bride as peejong (dowry). This dowry becomes 

 peema — the personal property of the bride, and corresponds with what 

 is called stridhan in India. 



When the marriage takes place at an intermediate place, the pro- 

 visions necessary for the entertainment are supplied by both the parties — 

 the largest share being borne by the bridegroom. In Sikkim he is 

 required to furnish what is called shya-gyu — the carcass of a bull slaugh- 

 tered for the occasion. When the marriage takes place at the house of 

 the bride's parents they entertain their relations, friends and neighbours 

 for one whole day with rich dishes and chang. The wedding cere- 

 mony takes place at or before noon, when the don-ner or Jchalenpa 

 delivers a harangue to the assembled people — and invokes the gods and 

 the spirits of the ten quarters. 



A respectable man of the village, who is blessed with sons and 

 daughters, and has means, is appointed to perform the khalan as 

 follows : — " The three Holies (Buddha, Dharmaand SanghaJ, the united 

 body of the sainted Lamas, the spirits of the ten quarters, the guard- 

 ian gods and defenders of Buddhism, the four great spirit kino-s, 

 the snowy mountain Himalaya, the divine keepers of the sacred places 

 and sites, the tutelary deities and guardian angels, and such other o-ods 

 and spirits whom the parents of the bridegroom and bride pi-opitiate, and 



ye celestial beings henceforth protect this married couple, named 



and . From this day he will be hers and she his. They will be 



mutually responsible to each other for their respective conduct. 



