Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 26: A large number of nomadic Gujjars-Bakarwals of Jammu and Kashmir spend very less money on marriage ceremonies. Owing to low economy setup they arrange a marriage with all customs within the budget of 50 thousand reveals a new study conducted by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation- a frontal organization of community.
In this budget they organize all social rituals and host three dinners or lunch for relatives and friends on the occasion of -Teel, Nehari and Meal –the main rites of tribal marriage, the study said. Those nomadic Gujjars-Bakerwals who are well off spend up to 1 Lakh on a wedding and they call it as a Bado Biya-the grand marriage.
Dr Javaid Rahi, Secretary, Tribal Foundation while releasing the gist of the study, stated that total 100 nomads comprising of Banhara and Bakarwal-Gujjar families residing in different parts of the State were sampled and a data was prepared which is highly surprising in many ways.
The study reveals in Rs 50 000 marriage budget they spend 10 thousands each to purchase new cloths-foot-wears and ornaments/jewellery mainly made of silver or gild (artificial Jewellery). They arrange three dinners in Rs 30000. In Banhara Gujjars, they cook rice and serve the same with Ghee and Shakar (a type of sugar) in other family they cook a light non-veg, the study said.
They give dowry of Rs 5000 to the bride included a Box, Light Bedding, a few kitchen utensils and other essentials of tribal migrations, the study said.
They fix just Rs 5000 to 10000 as “Mehar”- which is a religious binding and give gifts to brides like bufalloes, cows, sheep, goats or a camel on her entry to groom’s house, reveals the study.
The ‘Kadho” or “Adhaloo” in Gojri (the language of Gujjars) -abducting a choice girl (un-married) or woman (married) with her consent, for marriage is still popular among nomads, the study said.
On Polygamy, maximum nomads favour marring to two women- to generate human resources to run daily tribal affair.
The nomad Gujjars arrange first marriage of their children at the age of 14 to 18, the study said. Maximum girls get engaged to relative boys at the time of birth or at the age of 6.
No one among nomad Gujjars is allowed to remain un-married for his/her whole life, the study said.
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