Page:Sikhim and Bhutan.djvu/422

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APPENDIX II

The only religious ceremony is performed by the village headman, who offers up a bowl of murwa to the gods, and, presenting a cup of the same murwa to the bride and bridegroom, blesses them, and hopes the union may be a fruitful one. Lamas take no part in the ceremony.

The marriage tie is very light, and can be dissolved at any time by either the man or the woman.

A man may marry his mother’s brother’s daughter, but he can marry none of his other first cousins till the second generation.

The law of succession seems to be generally, though not always, as follows:

1. Son.

2. Grandson, through the male line.

3. Brother by same mother.

4.  Father’s brother’s son by choice.
Father’s sister’s son
Mother’s brother’s son
Mother’s sister’s son

5. If a man leaves only distant relatives, they receive a portion, a portion also going to the lamas, and the remainder to Government.

6. If a man dies without relatives, a sufficient amount for funeral expenses goes to the lamas, and the remainder to Government.

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