321 
of Edinhurgli, Session 1883-84. 
bulls of two or three years, also one one-year-old fat cow as an 
extra gift for the feast to take place at the bride’s village. 
On the morning of the day on which the ceremonies are to begin, 
a band of youths proceed from the bride’s village to the bridegroom, 
who hands over to them the stipulated number of cattle. Each 
youth leads one cow by a rope tied to its leg, its neck being orna- 
mented by a garland of leaves. Thus they are taken to the bride’s 
father. A group of unmarried girls, from the bridegroom’s village, 
accompany the youths, and the bridegroom’s brothers and sisters 
make up the party. Should he be an only child, two of his best 
friends or unmarried relations join the band. He himself remains 
behind. On their arrival the cattle are counted before the bride’s 
hut, and if found correct as to number and quality, as is usually the 
case, they are sent to the cattle pen, but are not mixed with cattle 
belonging to the bride’s father, which are previously removed to a 
distance. Should the tale not be correct, a messenger is sent to the 
bridegroom’s village, if it be near, to fetch the remainder ; but if at 
a distance, the ceremonies are delayed a day, or may be more. This 
mishap, however, rarely happens, as care is taken by the bride’s 
father that the right number of youths are sent, and the bridegroom 
is particular to provide the corresponding number of cows, so that 
mistakes are usually avoided. 
The fatted cow is killed by the bridegroom’s brothers in front of 
the bride’s hut, and their cooking operations commence and a great 
feast is held, after which dancing takes place. Very often nothing 
but water is drunk at the feast and if beer is provided it very rarely, 
if ever, leads to drunkenness. During the feast and subsequent 
dancing, which lasts two days, the bride is not allowed to leave her 
hut; but she is not left quite alone, as her future brothers and 
sisters-in-law keep her company, and expatiate meanwhile on the 
virtues of her future husband, and the delights of married life. 
They also fetch her food, but retire while she eats, as it is not proper 
for them to see her at her meals. 
On the third day there is another feast, on which occasion the 
bride’s father provides the cow, and dancing follows as before. Then 
the bride, for the first time, leaves her hut, and goes to the dancing 
ground, accompanied by her brothers-in-law, who walk one before 
and one behind her. They proceed to the centre of the dancing 
