ABSTRACT
As soon as the ma1l{/alaBkta is finished they fasten on the taU, that is, the little gold ornament which all married women wear round their necks j the tali is strung on a little cord which is dyed yellow with saffron water, and composed of 108 very fine threads closely twisted together. Other little ornaments of gold are also added, round which are fastened flowers and fine black seeds. Two handfuls of rice are placed in a metal pot, on the rice is laid a cocoanut dyed yellow, and on too top of the cocoanut the tali, to which they offer a sacrifice of sweet perfumes. The tali is then taken round to all the guests, both men and women, who touch it and bless it 1.
