Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 25: A large number of nomad Gujjars- Bakarwals in J&K spend hardly up to Rs 50,000 on a marriage ceremony, reveals a new study conducted by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation- an organisation of the community.
In this budget they organise all social rituals and host 3 dinners or lunch for relatives and friends, on the occasion of -Teel, Nehari and Meeal -the main rites of tribal marriage, the study said.
The other 12% nomads spend up to rupees one lakh on a wedding and they call it as a Bado Biya-the grand marriage.
Dr Javaid Rahi , secretary, Tribal Foundation while releasing the study stated that total 100 nomads comprising of Banhara and Bakarwal Gujjar families residing in different parts of the State were sampled and prepared a data 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. They arrange 3 dinners in Rs 30,000. In Banhara Gujjars they cook rice and serve the same with `Ghee and Shakar’ 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 10,000 as “Mehar”- which is a religious binding and give gifts to brides like buffaloes, cows, sheep, goats or a camel on her entry to grooms house, reveals the study.
Some marriages are arranged in hurry by ‘Kadho” or “Adhaloo” in Gojri (the language of Gujjars) -abducting a choice girl (un-married) or woman (Married) with her consent, for marriage, the study said.
Some percentage of nomad Gujjars favour “Kadhu” -the abduction and they consider this as matter of heroism and valour to marry a choice woman, some term, it as anti social.
On polygamy, over 60 % nomads favours marrying to two women- to generate human resources to run daily tribal affair while as around 18% of them favours marrying 3 to 6 or more wives- the study revealed and added that this tradition is declining fast.
Over 80 % nomad Gujjars arrange first marriage of their children at the age of 14 to 18 , the study said. Around 70% girls get engaged to relative boys at the time birth or at the age of 6.
The interference of “Muqadam” -the tribal headman in Gujjar marriages declining by 70% and the crime committed on marriage issues are also low down during last 30 years by 82% which is a positive change says the study. No one among nomad Gujjars is allowed to remain un-married for his/her whole life, the study said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel