[Marriage ceremonies. The betrothal.] 14. The selection of the bride is the business of the boy’s father. When he has made his choice he comes home and sends his brother-in-law, the tribal president (Mahto), and four or five other male friends to the father of the girl. If the proposal is accepted, the envoys are entertained for the night. Next morning the bride’s father summons his clansmen. A square is made with flour in the court-yard. Her father brings out the bride, who is made to stand in the square, and her father then calls on the friends of the bridegroom and the Mahto to examine her carefully and satisfy themselves that she has no physical defect. When they are satisfied the Mahto or brother-in-law of the bridegroom’s father fills the bride’s hand with dry rice and sprinkles some grains (achhat) over her for good luck. The bride then retires. Next the boy’s father sends for four annas worth of liquor, and the girl’s father for two annas worth. This is mixed, and the two fathers sit down with leaf platters (dauna) in their hands. These they exchange five times and drink the liquor. [83] The bride-price is then paid over to the girl’s father, and the betrothal is considered complete. [The preliminary marriage ceremonies.] 15. After the betrothal the wedding day is fixed by the father of the bridegroom. Notice is sent through his brother-in-law to the bride’s father. Three days before the wedding the matmangara or “lucky earth” ceremony is performed in both families. The women of the village go in procession to the village clay-pit. At the head of them goes a Chamâr playing on his drum. This drum is first worshipped by the women, and a mark (tîka) made on it with red lead. The village Baiga then digs three spadesful of earth, which the mother of the bride or bridegroom, as the case may be, takes in her loin cloth, she standing behind him with her face veiled in her sheet, while he passes the earth to her over his left shoulder. This earth is placed in the marriage shed (mânro) which is erected in the courtyard of the house, and on it is placed an earthen jar (kalsa) full of water, into which some mango leaves and rice stalks are thrown. Next comes the anointing (tel hardi) of the pair, which is done at their respective houses by five women of the family (the number five is selected as it is lucky) who rub them with oil and turmeric. A day before the wedding day the brethren are entertained at a feast (Bhatwân). They are also fed on the morning when the procession starts. Before the procession starts the mother of the bridegroom seats herself on the rice mortar (okhari). The bridegroom walks towards her and turns back four times. The fifth time he comes close to her, when she seizes him by the handkerchief which he wears over his shoulders, and will not let him go until he promises a present. Next comes the imlighotna or “mixing of the tamarind.” The bridegroom’s mother sits on the ground with him in her lap.