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

On arrival at the bride's residence, the bridegroom is given a red carpet
welcome. To ward off evil spirits, arathi is taken (arathi Is turmeric water mixed
with lime-orange in colour - in a plate with pieces of betal leaf, charcoal and chilles)
The plate is waved round the head of the bridegroom three times clock wise and
three times anti clockwise and he is asked to spit in it three times and this water
is poured in the centre of the road, infront. Arathi is generally taken by a male
related to the bride. Apart from arathi. a plate containing rice, eggs and
goat's head, also waved round the head of the bridegroom and it is given to
the family dhobi (washerman).The groom is conducted to the stage where the
Khazi, the muthavalli (Head of the janmath) of the mahalla and other relatives are
assembled. The bride is adorned with jewels and marriage saree provided by the
bridegroom and seated separately in the ladies apartment.
The details of money, jewellery, other household utensils and properties
given by the father of the bride and the mahar amount given by the bridegroom are
announced to those who have assembled. The father of the bride or in his absence
a near relative of her, acts as Vakil and offers the bride in marriage to the bridegroom
in the presence of two witnesses and before hand the consent of the bride is
obtained and announced in public. (But from the later years of the nineteenth
century the entire proceedings of the marriage, was recorded in a note book called
Nikhanama. which is being maintained in every Mahallah. The names of the couple
and their fathers, witnesses and the Khazi who solemnised the marriage are entered
and their signatures obtained and the details of the mahar, jewellery, presents and
other properties are also entered there in. This practice is followed even to this day
and this register has social and legal value in the life of Muslims). Then the father
of the bride puts his hand on that of the bridegroom with the help of the Khazi and
says."l give in marriage of my daughter, by name, to you, in the presence of the said
two witnesses, for such an amount of mahar settled upon her, do you consent of it".
The bridegroom replies. "with v~hole heart and soul to my marriage settlement made
up on her. I consent, consent, consent". The Khazi offers some milk to the bridegroom.
After this the Khazi offers up a supplication to the heaven, saying "Oh! Great God,
grant that mutual love and reign between this couple and that existed between the
Prophets of Allah and their wives". Thus the solemnisation of the marriage is over.
When the Khazi is reciting the supplications one of the eldest lady related to the
groom or the eldest sister of the groom ties a string of black beads in the neck of
the bride amidst chanting of kuluvai (a musical roar in chorus by the women). This
string of black beeds is provided by the bridegroom's side. The residue of the milk
given to the bridegroom is given to the bride and the women chant kuluvai again.
The bridegroom offers salam (salutation) to the gathering and the near relatives
hugs him. Friends and relatives offer presents.