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Interesting Customs
There are certain interesting customs at marriages. The dhal is a must
at the marriage lunch. The proverb says marriage and dhal go together.
A type of ducking is prevalent in many castes as part
of marriage festivals. Yellow coloured water is prepared and thrown
by every one over his or her brother-in-law, sister -in-law, and cross
cousins.
Some castes have a 'Nalungu' ceremony, the bride sing
a suitable song and invites the groom to the ceremony. Green turmeric
and reddish paint are applied by her to the groom's feet. The groom
reciprocates by applying them to the bride. Then she applies sandal
paste to his body. He adorns her with flowers, she shows him a mirror.
Both of them play a game with a ball of flowers. They eat some sweets.
For each part of the ceremony, a suitable song is sung.
Among conservative Vaishnavite non-Brahmins, offerings
are made to the deity in the forest as a part of the marriage time-table.
The bride is taken away by her uncle to whom she belongs by custom. Later
he releases her to the groom.
In the marriage of Christian fishermen of
the Tuticorin coast, the groom pays some consideration money or
jewellery to the bride's 'customary husband' and get his approval and
consent, before walking with his bride into the nuptial room. |
