THE SAORIAS OF THE RAJMAHAL HILLS. 57 



ture is less, however, that is in all things the expenditure must be one-half of that 

 required for the marriage of a maid. 



A menstruating female is subject to several restrictions. She is not allowed to 

 touch any beds but her own. She is not allowed to touch the clothes and other articles 

 of any one in the family. She is not allowed to cook for the family. These restric- 

 tions last for four or five days as the case may be. But these restrictions are imposed 

 only when people are looking on as a general rule ! 



Polyandry is not known. In the case of the death of an elder brother his wife 

 may be kept by a younger minor brother. In this case the girl lives with her husband's 

 parents or relatives ; but she is not allowed to co-habit with any one. As soon as the 

 youth is capable, the Banddri kills two fowls at the Jandi Gosain , and sprinkles the 

 pair with the blood and with a lota of water. They are then allowed to co-habit. There 

 is no feast. The Banddri invokes the Sun god and asks for a blessing on the pair while 

 sprinkling them with blood. The binding portion of the ceremony is the placing 

 of sindur and the eating of the broiled liver. The blood of the fowl consummates the 

 marriage ; vide marriages of those unable to pay. The slaughter of the fowl and the 

 sprinkling of water are essential. A widower taking a young girl in marriage has to 

 pay twice the usual amount of marriage expenses. The pon money and expenses vary 

 according to means, from Rs. 2 to Rs. 100 and more. 



A widow cannot, under any circumstances, marry her husband's elder brother. 

 An elder brother's wife might, however, be taken in marriage by a younger brother. 

 She may also marry her fourth cousin removed ; it is not compulsory that she should 

 marry in the family ; she may marry an outsider. 



The first wife is the chief wife and all others are her subordinates. (Meqri Peli, 

 big wife). All the household property is considered to be under her charge. The 

 servants (if any) are under her orders. She has the privilege of cooking for the 

 family. Her sons succeed to the father's property, that is to a third share. The 

 balance goes to the other wives and their children. In case of illness or absence 

 of the first wife, the second wife occupies her place, and is vested with her privi- 

 leges. 



The wives all live in the same house. There is no custom enjoining the wives to 

 occupy separate houses. The chief wife serves her husband first with food, and she 

 has the privilege of making the beds. She and her co- wives do not eat until the 

 husband has finished. She then serves her co- wives, children and servants, and, 

 finally, she serves herself. At night the husband sleeps in the centre, and the wives 

 occupy their beds on either side. In case of intercourse with a younger wife, without 

 the consent of the elder wife, the husband is liable, on complaint, to a fine according 

 to circumstances. For the first offence a warning is administered. A man may keep 

 as many concubines as he can afford plus wives. This can only be done, however, 

 with the consent of the chief wife and the girls themselves. Concubines are taken 

 in order to increase the number of servants ; and concubines may be of different 

 castes. A Saoria would not be outcasted for keeping a concubine of another caste. 

 In the case of division of property, the youngest wife's share is divided in two shares, 



