DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3461#0164
RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES, CEEEDS, ETC. J 51
»wica; though the real doominca exhibit in public he-
tore men, which the meeraseens never do. The word
ineeras means an inheritance, and meeraseen an in-
heritress, from the custom, in certain families, of never
changing the set. As the meeraseens are never accom-
panied by male minstrels, they seldom play on other
instruments than drums of different kinds, such as the
wbla, dholuk, and munjeera; though the meeraseens
never perform before assemblies of men, yet the hus-
band and his sons may be present. They are modest
and chaste in their manners and dress; but notwith-
standing this, it sometimes happens that a fair meera-
See>i attracts the attention of the male part of the
lamily. The kunchenee are of an opposite stamp:
tuey dance and sing for the amusement of the male
Sex> and in every respect are at their command. They
ai'e attended by male minstrels, to whom they are
°iten married. It is said these women always consider
their first lover as their real husband during the rest
°* their lives; and, on his death, though they should
be married to another, they leave off their pursuits for
a Prescribed period, and mourn agreeably to the cus-
tom of widows. They do not consider any part of their
Profession either disgraceful or criminal.
There are many other kinds of dancing women,
such as hoorkenees, lazeegarnees, dharees, &c, &c. In
dancing, the nautch girls present very picturesque
"gures, though somewhat encumbered by the volumi-
nous folds of their drapery. Their attire consists of a
Pair of gay-coloured silk trousers, edged and em-
b^>idered with silver or gold lace, so long as only to
afiord occasional glimpses of the rich anklets, strung
with small bells, which encircle the legs. Their toes
m'e covered with rings, and a broad, flat, silver chain is
Passed across the foot. Over the trousers a petticoat
i some rich stuff appears, containing at least twelve
breadths, profusely trimmed, having broad silver or
gold borders, finished with deep fringes of the same.
»wica; though the real doominca exhibit in public he-
tore men, which the meeraseens never do. The word
ineeras means an inheritance, and meeraseen an in-
heritress, from the custom, in certain families, of never
changing the set. As the meeraseens are never accom-
panied by male minstrels, they seldom play on other
instruments than drums of different kinds, such as the
wbla, dholuk, and munjeera; though the meeraseens
never perform before assemblies of men, yet the hus-
band and his sons may be present. They are modest
and chaste in their manners and dress; but notwith-
standing this, it sometimes happens that a fair meera-
See>i attracts the attention of the male part of the
lamily. The kunchenee are of an opposite stamp:
tuey dance and sing for the amusement of the male
Sex> and in every respect are at their command. They
ai'e attended by male minstrels, to whom they are
°iten married. It is said these women always consider
their first lover as their real husband during the rest
°* their lives; and, on his death, though they should
be married to another, they leave off their pursuits for
a Prescribed period, and mourn agreeably to the cus-
tom of widows. They do not consider any part of their
Profession either disgraceful or criminal.
There are many other kinds of dancing women,
such as hoorkenees, lazeegarnees, dharees, &c, &c. In
dancing, the nautch girls present very picturesque
"gures, though somewhat encumbered by the volumi-
nous folds of their drapery. Their attire consists of a
Pair of gay-coloured silk trousers, edged and em-
b^>idered with silver or gold lace, so long as only to
afiord occasional glimpses of the rich anklets, strung
with small bells, which encircle the legs. Their toes
m'e covered with rings, and a broad, flat, silver chain is
Passed across the foot. Over the trousers a petticoat
i some rich stuff appears, containing at least twelve
breadths, profusely trimmed, having broad silver or
gold borders, finished with deep fringes of the same.