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

CHAP. IV.] A WEDDING PARTY. 177

ancestors of the present Parsis on their landing at that place. The wedding-party in a wealthy family often numbers from one thousand to fifteen hundred persons. The gentlemen are accommodated with chairs and benches in the verandah and along the two sides of the road facing the house where the ceremony is to be performed, while the apartments are gallantly left to the ladies. On this occasion the former dress in “jamas” and ‘ pichori,” the full costume of the Parsis, while the latter array themselves in jewellery and dresses of variegated colours richly ornamented with gold.?

Shortly before the marriage procession starts a large number of the female friends of the bride go to the bridegroom’s place with a present of a rich dress and a ring of gold or diamonds according to her parents means. All of these are arranged in a rich tray of silver or brass, which is carried by the bride’s mother in her right hand. They quickly return after executing this errand, and at or about sunset bouquets of roses or other beautiful and fragrant flowers and small triangular packets of “ pan-sopari,” we. betel-

1 For the benefit of those who have not sufficient accommodation in their houses for the entertainment of large parties, the sons of the late Mr. Edalji Framji Albless erected a building known as Albless Bag, where many marriages and other festivities are celebrated without payment. The Albless family is one of the most highly respected of the Parsi families in Bombay. Its liberality has recently founded an institu-

tion, the want of which was much felt, viz. a Lepers’ Hospital. It is to he established in Trombay, an island within twenty miles of Bombay.

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