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

122 ATSTORY OF THE PARSIS. [CHAP. III.

while elderly dames, still ostentatiously persisting in the old custom on the score of modesty, are twitted by their younger sisters as feeling compelled to do so for the purpose of hiding the gray hair which would betray their age.

Like the men, the women wear a shirt next to the skin and silk trousers, and tie the kusti round the waist over the shirt. Their “sari,” or outer dress, is about six yards in length, and is generally of brightcoloured silk or satin—sometimes embroidered with fancy designs in silk or fringed with deep gold lace. The latter is used only on great occasions. ‘This “sari” is first folded round the waist, covering the lower limbs, and the remainder is gracefully thrown over the head, from which it falls upon the right arm. Between the shirt and the “sari” they formerly used to wear a silk vest, with short sleeves, called the “kanchri” or “choli.” This “kanchri” or “choli” has, however, been now almost entirely superseded by a bodice more after the English fashion, and sometimes made of very rich and costly materials. On the wrists are displayed glass, gold, or jewelled bangles, the latter being more generally worn on festive occasions. The glass bangles have always to be worn, and they denote that the lady is not a widow. In imitation of Hindu and Mahomedan women, the Parsi ladies were, until the

last generation, in the habit of wearing a nose-ring.