Identifier: tribescastesofce04russ (find matches)
Title: The tribes and castes of the Central Provinces of India
Year: 1916 (1910s)
Authors: Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane), 1873-1915
Subjects: Ethnology -- India Madhya Pradesh Caste -- India Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh (India) -- Religion
Publisher: London : Macmillan and Co., limited
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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, which should beas fine as the family can afford, and thereafter she may wearany colour except white. The distinguishing marks of amarried woman are the niangal-sutrani or holy thread, whichher husband ties on her neck at marriage ; the garsoli orstring of black beads round the neck ; the silver toe-ringsand glass bangles. If any one of these is lost, it must bereplaced at once, or she is likely soon to be a widow. Thefood served at the wedding-feast consists of rice and pulse,but more essential than these is an ample provision of liquor.It is a necessary feature of a Mang wedding that the bride-groom should go to it riding on a horse. The Mahars,another low caste of the Maratha Districts, worship thehorse, and between them and the Mangs there exists a long-standing feud, so that they do not, if they can help it, drinkof the same well. The sight of a Mang riding on a horse isthus gall and wormwood to the Mahars, who consider it aterrible degradation to the noble animal, and this fact
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■k (■ II WIDOlV-iMARRIAGE—BURIAL—OCCUPATION 187 inflaming their natural enmity, formerly led to riots betweentiic castes. Under native rule the Mangs were publicexecutioners, and it was said to be the proudest momentof a Mangs life when he could perform his office on aMahar. The bride proceeds to her husbands house for a shortvisit immediately after the marriage, and then goes homeagain. Thereafter, till such time as she finally goes to livewith him, she makes brief visits for festivals or on othersocial occasions, or to help her mother-in-law, if her assist-ance is required. If the mother-in-law is ill and requiressomebody to wait on her, or if she is a shrew and wantssome one to bully, or if she has strict ideas of discipline andwishes personally to conduct the brides training for marriedlife, she makes the girl come more frequently and staylonger. The remarriage of widows is permitted, and a widow 4. widow-may marry any one except persons of her own family group ™^^g^-or

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