100 GHULAM MUHAMMAD 



(8) The pan belongs to Khana, the Raja of Yasin, etc. 



(9) The pan belongs to righteous Girkis (the ruler of Hunza). 



(10) The pan belongs to Maryo, the son of Machat (a celebrated person of the 

 Rono family), etc. ::::' 



(n) The pan is placed on Neelo But, etc. 



At the same time the women recite the following song : — 



( 1 ) Thoki loozham Bair Gul yao 



Thoki loozham Jet Minyoiki na diyam 

 Thoki loozham aki Meenam. 



(2) Thoki loozham Gilit Malika 



Thoki loozham Jet Minyoiki na diyan 



Thoki loozham aki Meenam. . < 



(3 — 11) Etc. etc. etc. 



Translation : — 



(1) A large coral grain belongs to Bair Gul. 



I will never let another string this on a thread. 

 I will string it myself. 



(2) A large coral grain belongs to Malik, the chief of Gilgit. 

 I will never let another string this. 



I will string it myself. 

 (3 — 1 1) Continues on the lines of above song till its end. 



The Katchata then places the pan on the hearth for a moment, and then, lifting it up 

 again, commences to dance and sing in the above manner. Once more he repeats 

 his performance (the one which closes this "Duban" ceremony), and then bringing 

 out a maiden from the crowd, employs her to cook, without assistance, some small cakes 

 on the pan. When four or five cakes are ready she hands over her task to other women, 

 who readily take it up. Leaving the women to cook a dinner for them, the men go to 

 another room, where they make merry by dancing and singing throughout the night, 

 which is called after this ceremony " Tao ai Rat" (the night of the pan). If the 

 procession has to go to a village at some distance, the bridegroom is bathed at dawn. 

 Then, wearing as neat and clean clothes as they can afford, the retinue starts with the 

 following song, which is recited by the bridegroom : — 



" Aroo rake ar ga stomai dodai ajeh at salam ik theam." 



Translation : — 



I will go into my home and salute my dearest mother, whose milk I have sucked. 

 Herewith he proceeds to his home to salute his mother, and, on his return, the party 

 recites the following poem : — 



(1) Agooroo bai la agooroo but 



(2) Ash to sho dez ik alo agooroo bai la agooroo but 



(3) Nuh but sonai tulishi agoroo bai la agooroo but 



