Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 381

A HINDU WOMAN'S COSTUME
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it does not come so far down behind, as one of the ends of
the cloth is tucked in at the waist after passing between
the legs, which are thus left bare as far as, or even above,
the calf.
This arrangement is peculiar to Brahmin women
those of other castes arrange their draperies with more
decency and modesty. The other end of the cloth covers
Thus the clothing for both
the shoulders, head, and chest.
sexes is made without seams or sewing an undeniable
convenience, considering how often they have to bathe
;
—
themselves and wash their garments for Brahmin women
have to observe the same rules of purification as the men,
and are equally zealous in the performance of this duty.
The custom of women veiling their faces has never been
practised in India, though it has been in use among many
other Asiatic nations from time immemorial. Here the
women always go about with their faces uncovered, and in
some parts of the country they also expose the upper half
;
of their bodies
*.
Quiet and retired as is the life of a Hindu woman, it
cannot be said to be one of complete and rigorous seclusion.
Though all friendly intercourse with men is forbidden to
them, still they may talk to those who come to the house
as friends or acquaintances without fear of unpleasant
Eunuchs those deplorable victims of
consequences.
Oriental jealousy are unknown in India, and the natives
never dream of putting the virtue of their women under
the care of these miserable beings.
They are not to be
found even in the palace of a prince, where women are
always guarded and waited on by women.
In several parts of India young girls and married women
wear a sort of little bodice under their cloth, which covers
but
the breast, shoulders, and arms as far as the elbows
this, I am told, is a modern innovation, and borrowed from
the Mahomedans.
I have reason to believe that the custom of leaving all
the upper part of the body uncovered as far as the waist
was formerly common to both sexes in the southern parts
of India.
It still prevails on the Malabar coast, and in
the neighbouring provinces.
—
—
;
1
This custom still prevails in Malabar and Travancore, but
gradually dying out amongst the educated classes.
Ed.
it
is