W. H. P. D river —The Asurs. 
17 
1888 .] 
usually arranged by the parents, and the children are wonderfully 
dutiful, as there is nothing to prevent their choosing for them¬ 
selves. However when parents make the choice they generally 
marry them at a somewhat early age. The marriage present, consisting 
(amongst the wealthier people) of seven head of cattle, is given by the 
bridegroom’s father to the father of the bride ; and a month after the 
marriage the bridegroom receives a present of an ox from his father- 
in-law. January and February are the months to marry in. A Khariya 
may marry four wives, the 1st is called Bar hi, the 2nd, Majh’M; 
the 3rd, Sajh’U; and the 4th Chhot’/ci; but besides these he may, 
according to his wealth, have various concubines called Sagais and 
JDhulcJcus. Widows and divorcees can remarry, but their price is 
only two head of cattle as compared with seven for a virgin. A Kha¬ 
riya man must marry in his own tribe, but from a different gotor. 
A Khariya woman can marry a man of any Kolarian tribe, but then 
she is out of her own tribe, and can not eat with them. A Khariya can 
marry his sister-in-law while his wife is alive, if she is lame, blind, or un¬ 
fruitful, and if his wife leaves him he can legally claim her younger sister. 
Laws of divorce .—Dissolution of marriage is effected by both 
parties going before the Zamindar and headmen of the village, and 
declaring themselves willing to separate. The formula is worded “ If 
I call him (or her) I will pay a fine of Its. 20 and receive twenty 
strokes from a shoe.” If a woman leaves her husband, he may con¬ 
voke a ‘ Panchayat,’ and recover the oxen and buffaloes, he or his 
father paid for her, either from her father if she returns to him, or else 
from the man whom she goes to live with. A woman seems to have 
no redress against her husband for desertion, but she is then allowed 
to live with any one else she may choose. If a husband lives happily 
with his wife for any length of time, his father-in-law makes him a 
present of an ox or buffaloe. This is called a ddj and is considered 
a great honour. Either idiocy or infidelity can warrant a divorce. 
Customs regarding children .—First children are named after their 
grandparents and omens and auguries are consulted on these as well as 
on all other occasions of any moment. A week after birth the child’s 
head is shaved, and the father and mother having fasted give a big 
dinner to their friends and relatives, spending more money for a boy 
than for a girl. The child is named a month after its birth. The boys 
have their fore arms burnt, and girls are tattooed on the forehead and 
temple. 
Festivals and dances .—The Khariyas keep all the usual Kolarian 
festivals. In January they dance the Kliariyd which is peculiar to 
themselves and the Uraons. This is also the chief dance during the 
c 
