1834.] 



History of the Ramoossies. 



284 



with what clothes she may require, which is done once in the year* 

 At the expiration of one, two, or four years, when he has accumu- 

 lated sufficient funds to defray the expense of the marriage, he will 

 go to the girl's father, and tell him, that they must now marry their 

 children. Should her father state, that he has not the means of 

 doing so this year owing to his poverty, the boy's father then offers 

 to lend him such a sum for the occasion as he may require, settling 

 in the presence of two or three of their friends, what money is re- 

 quired to be advanced ; the boy's father then returns home, and 

 after a lapse of a few days he brings with him the necessary number 

 of rupees, accompanied by one or two friends. 



The parents of both children, and a few of their relations now go 

 to the house of the Brahmun astrologer and having sat down near 

 the entrance ask him to come out. Upon his joining them the fa- 

 ther of the girl having announced the object of their visit, informs 

 the Brahmun that his daughter's name* is Oomy, or Bhaggy, and 

 also the boy's name is Goomajee or Khundoojee. 



The Astrologer! then consults his Punchung, (almanac,) and will 

 probably inform them, that their nuptials cannot be celebrated in 

 the months of Magh and Phalgoon, for that the configuration of the 

 stars, planets, &c. is such as to prove adverse to its taking place in 

 those two months, % but either in Vyshak or Jesth the day shall be 

 calculated for them. Upon hearing this answer from the Brahmun, 

 the parents return to their respective homes. j| 



At the termination of the stipulated time, the boy's father repairs 

 again to the house of the girl's father, and tells him to get the re- 

 quired document from the Brahmun. They accordingly proceed to 

 the priest's house, who now makes his caculations and writes on a 



* Should the name given when casting their horoscope at their nativity be 

 forgotten, the name they are actually known by is communicated. 



t The Astrologer, is termed the Bhutt or Jossy of the village. It is an 

 hereditary appointment and he receives his huk or perquisite as one of the four 

 members of the third or inferior class of the twelve Ballottah. The Kool- 

 kurny, holds also the appointment of Jossy, in some villages. My friend 

 Ram Row Baba Sahib the Poorundury chiei is Roolkurny and Jossy of the 

 town of Sassoor, but being a man of rank he employs a deputy. 



X Should the parties be very anxious from some pressing cause to celebrate 

 the marriage in one of the first mentioned months, the Brahmun will intoini 

 them that the obstacles in the way may be removed either by Dan, Houj, or 

 Jup. The first is the bestowing alms, the second making a burnt ottering 

 when the officiating priest is presented with a fee : and the third is repeat- 

 ing extracts from the Veds and mumbling certain incantations, lor which 

 trouble the Brahmun gets a present ofsix or eight annas or a rupee or two, 

 according to the inclination and means of the parties. 



II It is to be noticed, that it is the Astrologer of the village in wliu;h the 

 girl resides who is consulted on such occasions, and that it is always in the 

 house of the bride that the marriage is solemnised. 



