362 Notes on K/iflristdn. [No. 4. 



with great spirit, accompanied by a sort of tambourine and a pipe or 

 fife. On these occasions the Avine is not spared. 



On the last day but one of the festival, the father gives his 

 daughter whatever dowry his means will afford, and which generally 

 consists of a suit or two of clothes, a few brass or silver ornaments, 

 a few goats, some household utensils, and if his circumstances will 

 permit, a cow or two. Rich fathers add one or more slaves. 



On the last day of the bridal, the bride and bridegroom are decked 

 out in their best apparel, and brought into the centre of the place 

 where the guests are assembled together. A goat is then brought ; 

 the bride is placed at its head, and the bridegroom at the tail. One 

 of the elders present, then rises up, and stands at the side of the goat, 

 between the couple ; and commences to relate the warlike and vir- 

 tuous actions of their respective ancestors, and exhorts them to follow 

 their example and live happily together. After he has concluded his 

 address, he slaughters the goat, which he gives to a priest as his fee ; 

 and the bridegroom takes his bride away to his own home : and thus 

 ends the marriage ceremony. 



The age for marriage is from twenty to twenty-five for males, but 

 mainly depends upon whether the person can afford to support a wife. 

 The period of marriage for females varies from fifteen to twenty years 

 of age, and even older. Polygamy is rare, although not considered 

 unlawful; but it is only men, well off in the world, who can afford to 

 purchase female slaves. Adultery also is of rare occurrence, and its 

 punishment is divorce. 



In some of their customs and ceremonies, the Si'ah-posh tribes bear 

 a strong resemblance to the Gabrs or Fire-Worshippers, known in 

 India by the name of Parsis. 



Within a short distance of every village, there is a building erected, 

 and entirely set apart for the reception of females during certain 

 periods, and also after child-birth, when they are considered impure. 



On a female becoming aware of the first mentioned circumstance, 

 she must at once retire to the building referred to ; and clothes 

 bedding, food, and such other things as she may require, are brought 

 to her. After some days, she bathes, puts on clean clothes, and 

 returns home. 



In cases of child-birth, the parturient woman is removed as quickly 



