Viewing page 10 of 14

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Transcription: {SPEAKER name="Lisa Chickering"}

[00:27:39]
This dress is called the 'Modified Kotomisi', as was the first blue one you saw. It's changed quite a bit though from the traditional Kotomisi with the only sign of [[?]] being that little flounce around the waist. I'm sure wearing the traditional Kotomisis they don't have to watch their calories at all, but it would be a different story wearing this.

[00:28:01]
The Javanese women's dresses have always had a straight line, without any fullness, as this one, patterend after it.

[00:28:11]
The Hindus here venerate a statue of Gandhi as much they would in India.

[00:28:17]
After the abolition of slavery, Hindustanis were imported under five-year contracts to work on the bereft plantations. And when their contracts expired, many chose to remain. And here their descendents still maintain the Indian customs.

[00:28:33]
We felt very fortunate at being invited to a Hindu wedding, for it's a colorful ceremony we westerners rarely see.

[00:28:41]
Here, the bride is being prepared. The painting of her face is done for purely decorative purposes, just as we women put on make-up and lipstick. But I certainly hope our styles never go quite this far... But now one never knows what might become fashionable.

[00:28:57]
The Hindus here marry the ones of their own choice. But, as in India, a Hindu marriage can never be dissolved in divorce for any reason. They must try to solve their differences, or tolerate them, but not change them, which is pretty good advice.

[00:29:14]
The ceremony commences as the groom, named Krishna, enters the marriage enclosure. His pundit, or priest, pours water over his hands to symbolize the washing away of all impurities. His drinking the water is to signify he accepts his bride forever, no matter what hardships may ensue.

[00:29:33]
And in a Hindu wedding both the bride and the groom have their individual pundits. This ceremony dates back more than one thousand years and everything they do has a symbolic meaning.

[00:29:45]
After waving the marriage bench over a fire which is a form of purifying it, Krishna waits for his bride, Radhika, to enter and sit beside him. And, as in our weddings, bridesmaids accompany the bride...

Transcription Notes:
[[00:27:47]] "illumity" ?? Is this a word ?