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Marriage
The form of marriage prevalent and universally so in Goa state is monogamy,
a
condition in which one man is married to one woman.
Among
the Christians, if the proposal was found to the liking
of the groom's elders, Soirik Korunk (arrange of alliance) or rather entering the preliminary talks concerning prospects of a marriage. If the girl finds acceptance
in the eyes of visitors, a sweet meat or some article of value like a wrist-watch or dress piece or gold ornaments brought by the delegation, is
gifted to the bride-to be, signifying the acceptance of the proposal. For the Christians,
the church has prescribed a brief course or instruction
to be taken by the prospective groom and bride at the church or at the pastoral
institute Pius-x at old Goa. 
Among the Sudras,
there was the practice of the groom to be, to take away
the kerchief and soap kept for him, being a sign of acceptance of the
proposal. Later a ring was
sent for the engagement.
Among the Hindus,
according to the custom, marriage within the same 'gotra' are not permitted.
If the 'gotra' happens to be the same for both
and it is still every one's wish that the concerned marriage should take place, then
the marriage ceremony is gone through by a special ritual called Dattak
Vidhan or adoption of the bride and her 'gotra' changed.
The engagement ceremony is called Mudi (literally the ring),
it is same for
Hindus and Christians. The engagement ceremony among the Muslims is called Mangani.
The Bangle Wearing ceremony
The bangle wearing ceremony that is held once in her life time for the bride
to be is called the Chuddo. The bangles symbolise married life for the bride,
as they are broken only on her dead husband's coffin.
The Chuddo among the upper castes, consists of a set of seven glass bangles
of a green colour on each wrist. Among the lower castes, the bangles are of the
seven colours of rainbow. This ceremony is performed on the eve of marriage
or a day or two days before. It is done at the house of the maternal uncle of the
bride. In the normal case, these bangles are put on her, by the bangle seller.
Other relatives and those present at the ceremony are also given by him a
pair or more of their choice free of cost. There are songs sung during this
time which are typical and appropriate to the occasion. Offerings of money in token of blessing are put in a tray placed before
the bangle seller. The money collected thus is taken by him over and above the
payment that he gets for the work done.
There are women who
are experts in singing in parables and pointed metaphor in
the form of Zotis as well as throwing aside all taunts to them and
other home people, i.e. relatives and would be relatives.
After this ceremony at the maternal uncles house,
the said uncle sends his
niece home with a vojem (a parcel of sweet-meats in a big special type of
bamboo woven basket) containing sweet meats, bananas, bread- twelve each
in number. This system is known as Perkund. Similar Perkund calls without the festive bangle are made, when
other relatives invite her at their place for lunch or dinner of farewell.
She receives a special bunch of flowers from her uncle and others on
this occasion. Even if the parents of the bride, do not happen to be on
speaking terms with the said uncle or relatives, she has to
go and get at least water from their well. If they have no well or it is
not possible to get water from there, then some water has to be taken
from their house by the bride. Relatives visit the two houses of the bride and of
the groom, with flowers etc. Special 'fole' cakes made of rice-flour
stuffed with shredded coconut mixed with jaggery, cupped into a wrapping
of jack-fruit tree leaves and pinned by a thin stick-pin are served at the maternal
uncle's house. Or it may be 'mankeo'
some thing like dosas stuffed with coconut-shredding and jaggery. The Chuddo
ceremony is same for both Hindus and Muslims.
The 'Saddo' a variant of the saree is a special
dress, usually flowery or plain red or pink, worn by the bride in the
house, at the day of the wedding after the official function is over.
It is given by the maternal uncle to the bride among Hindus and Christians.
Among Muslims no such practice is noticed.
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