52 MR. R B. BAINBRIDGE ON 



blind, or have a broken horn, and it must be young. After looking at the animal 

 they return and the Lapsitus say, " We have seen all things, money and other gifts, 

 so get ready and come with us." The relatives having assembled in the youth's house 

 food and drink are given to all. Then one of the Lapsitus and one of the youth's 

 relatives take the bull, or ox, and walk ahead to the girl's house. Allowing them a 

 a sufficient start, the others follow with the youth, the money, the arrows, and other 

 gifts. Palanquin and drums are forbidden by old custom. The young man dresses 

 himself in white or in any other colour except yellow, yellow being the symbol of death. 

 He adorns himself with mallas and other ornaments according to means. The bull and 

 his attendants having arrived, the girl's parents are informed, khatias (beds) are 

 brought and water is offered. When the marriage party arrives near the village, the 

 Lapsiiu, who has accompanied it, takes all the arrows and fangas, and stands outside 

 the village on the path, and he counts the party as it passes by into the village. This 

 is done so that the presents and food may be properly apportioned. On arrival, a 

 girl on the bride's side washes the feet of the whole party, and she is given a rupee in 

 the vessel wherein she brought the water. A larger or a smaller sum may be paid. 

 The party sits and tobacco and refreshments are offered and accepted. These at- 

 tentions are paid by the Lapsitus. The Bedsi/u is now taken inside the girl's house 

 and he is accompanied by the youth's father, the groom himself, and all his near re- 

 latives. The young man is given a seat in the centre of the house, adjoining the central 

 post, which is found in all Paharia houses. The young man faces the east and his 

 relatives also take their seats. Pochai is brought and is placed in front of the boy's 

 father. The girl's near relatives also go inside the house. The women (girl's relatives) 

 sit on the western side of the house and all the male relatives on the eastern side. It 

 is essential that the young man should sit and face the east. The Lapsiiu gives pochai 

 to the groom's father, to his mother and to all the near relatives of the groom and to 

 the groom himself. The Bedsiiu then takes some pochai and pours it on the ground, 

 saying, " O Sun god and truth god, in the name of the youth, and the maid, I pour 

 this offering to you ; may they live long and prosper and have many children ! " The 

 question of pon (bride price) is now discussed and the bride herself is brought in. She 

 may stand or sit and no special seat is placed for her. The Lapsiiu gives a narrative 

 relating to his journey to the groom's house, and the hospitality which he has received. 

 He also gives a list of arrows, and other things, seen by him and brought, including the 

 bull — he adds, " The parents said, we are but beggars and desire the girl to honour our 

 house — let her be given to us accordingly." Then the groom's parents repeat the story 

 about poverty and supplicate for the possession of the girl. The girl's parents accept the 

 situation. Half the money is then produced by the young man's father and presented 

 and accepted. The arrows, axes and knives, are also given. The girl's grand- 

 mothers then appear and demand their rights, Re. i each. This has naturally to be 

 paid from the hidden store. Then come the girl's elder sister and husband and take 

 Re. i each, the maternal aunt also gets a rupee from the hidden store — this is her right. 

 The village headman demands his rupee, mandla tdkd ; he takes this money in order 

 to catch the girl in case she afterwards runs away from her husband. The village 



