History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

CHAP. III.] THE JAMA AND PICHORI. 119

waistcoat, according to his means), an “ angrakha,” or loose coat without a-belt, the sleeves of which are twice the length of the arm, and consequently fold up in creases above the wrist. The growing fashion is, however, to make the sleeve exactly fit the arm, as will be seen from the illustration we give in this volume of a Parsi gentleman. The turban, which is generally of a dark chocolate colour, flowered fancifully, forms the outdoor covering of the head, and is placed over the skull-cap. Shoes or boots are worn on the feet.

The well-to-do wear silk trousers, socks, and English shoes or boots, and are fond of decorating their fingers with gold and diamond rings. The full dress of a Parsi consists, in addition to the above, of a “jama” and “pichori” of white linen. The ‘“‘jama” is a long double-breasted coat, always made of cotton, the lower portion hanging in folds to the ankle, and resembling the gown of an English lady. The “pichori” is a long piece of cloth about a yard wide and several yards in length. It is folded together in bands, and passed round the waist as many times as its length will admit. This dress is only used at funeral and wedding parties, but some people wear it on state occasions, such as a ball or reception at Government House. A somewhat modified form of the English dress—that is to say, a coat and trousers —has been adopted by the great majority of the