[An Historical Relation Of The Island Ceylon In The East Indies by Robert Knox]@TWC D-Link book
An Historical Relation Of The Island Ceylon In The East Indies

PART III
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The reason whereof is a Tradition among them, that a Man once going foremost, it happened that his Wife was stoln away, and he not aware of it.

Being come home the Bridegroom makes a Feast as he is able.
[A Ceremony of Marriage.] Some few days after, her Friends usually come to see her bringing a present of Provision with them.

And sometimes they use this Ceremony, the Man is to stand with one end of the Woman's Cloth about his Loins, and she with the other, and then they pour water on both their Heads, wetting all their Bodies: which being done, they are firmly Married to live together, so long as they can agree.
The Elder sorts of People usually woe and conclude their Marriages as they are in Bed together.

For when they have lost their Maidenheads, they fear not much what Man comes to sleep with them, provided he be of as good quality as they, having nothing more to lose.

And at the day appointed the Man gives the Woman her Cloths, and so takes her home.
[Man and Wife may part at pleasure.] But their Marriages are but of little force or validity.


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