58 MR. R. B. BAINBRIDGB ON 



one share goes to the younger wife and her children, and the balance to the concubines 

 and their children. 



Professional prostitution is not a Saoria custom. But it is admitted that girls 

 and women do sometimes prostitute themselves by stealth. The offence is said to 

 be of recent origin. They do not, under such circumstances, confine their attentions to 

 the Saorias. A woman caught prostituting herself has to undergo the salt punish- 

 ment and is cursed. Prostitution has its origin in poverty and in association with 

 the Hindus, due to the larger number of markets and better facilities of communication. 

 In olden days, the Paharias say, the soil was richer and there was a more abundant 

 production ; there is a smaller quantity now as the soil is worn out ! 



The bride gets no part of the pon money if any be paid. This belongs to her 

 parents and becomes a portion of the ancestral property, and is inherited according 

 to rules already laid down. The bride's personal share is the rupee and malla present- 

 ed by her husband. 



VIII. Physical and other Defects. 



Physical defects, on the part of the girl, are not permitted after marriage to annul 

 the contract. Defects such as fractured limbs, idiocy, lunacy, are not considered 

 by the panchayat to be good grounds for annulment. Physical defects are compen- 

 sated by the fact that a man can take another wife. In such cases the wife herself 

 counsels the taking of another wife. An incurable disease, after marriage, is not a 

 sufficient ground for annulment. The panch will, however, allow an annulment on 

 payment of Rs. 5, which are placed on the girl's head, water is sprinkled over her 

 person by her husband, and he then breaks a straw in two and the annulment is com- 

 plete. In such a case he has no claim on the pon money paid by him. 



If the girl finds defects in her husband, such as mutilation, or impotence, or 

 a filthy and incurable disease, the panch annuls the marriage on payment of the 

 pon money. No fine has to be paid to the panchayat ; the Bedsitu sprinkles the girl's 

 head with water, and he breaks the straw as shown above. The annulment is then 

 complete. As a general rule, there would be no marriage in the case of material 

 defects. Such defects as a broken limb, a blind eye, etc., would be mentioned on either 

 side during the preliminary negotiations ; and it has to be borne in mind that parties 

 have ample opportunities of intercourse before marriage. 



IX. Divorce. 



Divorce is allowed in cases of illicit intercourse on the part of the wife. In such 

 a case the husband is entitled to get compensation from the lover, ranging from Rs. 9 

 upwards, according to circumstances. The husband breaks the straw and pours 

 water over the wife's head ; this ceremony dissolves the marriage. If the wife can 

 show that she was forcibly betrayed, her husband keeps her after taking the fine 

 and obtaining a promise from her as regards another wife. Arrangements for a fresh 

 wife are made by the erring woman among her own relatives. In such cases the 



