maritime activities economy and social customs of the muslims of ...

and seated, the elders and relatives put the sugar in her mouth and bless her.
Similarly the sugar is taken to the bridegroom and the groom dressed well and
seated, the relatives and elders put the sugar in his mouth and bless him. This is
called 'Seeni Poduthal' (Sugar feeding). In view of this the entire ceremony is
known as 'Seeni Poduthal'.
The day of the marriage is fixed on mutual convenience of both the houses
on an auspicious day and time. Certain months of the year, certain days of the
week are considered as inauspicious. Some time the local sooth sayer or astrologer
is consulted. The relatives of both the sides are invited individualy or jointly for the
marriage ceremony. In those days of non development of printing industry, invitation
was extended personally or through messengers. A few days before the marriage,
a pole called muhurthakkal or rnuhurthakombu or auspicious marriage pole are
planted in the court yards of the houses of both the bride and groom (the pole is
usually bamboo in which some yellow cloath soaked in turmeric water is twisted
round and In the top of which is tied a bunch of mango leaves. The frontage of the
houses are adorned with panda1 with plantain trees and coconut, and mango leaves.
These practices are very much in the Hindu fashion.
On the prior night of the marriage day, the bridegroom and the bride are
anointed with henna paste in feet and hand in an auspicious ceremony called
'Naiangu', in their respective houses. During naiangu ceremony the important
relatives particularly women congregate and decorate the bride and the groom in
their respective houses and bless them and to ward off from evil spirits. Before the
approach of dawn the bridegroom is dressed in his best, seated in a chariot drawn
by horses or seated on the horse back itself and taken round the town in procession
to the bride's residence. (In modern times the groom is taken in procession in an
open car) Francis while giving a picture on Marakkayar marriage at the beginning
of this century writes that the groom is conducted in procession to the bride's
realden~e.~~, whereas in Arabian countries it is the bride who is conducted to the
groom's house in processionz7. In olden days lighted torches which burn with oll
called deavattis were taken in the procession for lighting at the head of the procession.
Islamic songs in praise of the Prophet and his companions are sung by the troupe
of singers with small drums in their hands. This music party is called 'Thabs'. The
Procession is always routed through a mosque or a dargha where Fatheeha Is offered
by the marriage party. The relatives of the bridegroom stop the procession in front
of their houses and offer him milk and presents.