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Indian Culture Marriage Biography
Arranged Marriages in India
Arranged marriages have been part of the Indian culture since the fourth century. Many consider the practice a central fabric of Indian society, reinforcing the social, economic, geographic, and the historic significance of India (Stein). Prakasa states that arranged marriages serve six functions in the Indian community: (1) helps maintain the social satisfaction system in the society; (2) gives parents control, over family members; (3) enhances the chances to preserve and continue the ancestral lineage; (4) provides an opportunity to strengthen the kinship group; (5) allows the consolidation and extension of family property; (6) enables the elders to preserve the principle of endogamy (Prakasa 17).
The practice of arranged marriages began as a way of uniting and maintaining upper caste families. Eventually, the system spread to the lower caste where it also was used for the same purpose. The specifics of arranged marriages vary; depending on if one is Hindu or Muslim. "Marriage is treated as an alliance between two families rather than a union between two individuals" (Prakasa 15). Ninety-five percent of all current Indian marriages are arranged, either through child marriages or family / friend arrangement. The Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929-1978 states that the legal age for marriage is 18 for females, and 21 for males, with most females being married by 24 and most males being married by their late twenties (McDonald). However, many children, age 15 and 16 are married within a cultural context, with these marriages being neither void or voidable under Hindu or Muslim religious law, as long as the marriage is not consummated until the legal age of 18 for females and 21 for males.
Muslim Arranged Marriages in India
In the Muslim faith, it is the responsibility of the parents to provide for the education and the marriage of their children. The parent's duties are not considered complete unless their daughter is happily married (Ahmad 53). Marriage is a Sunna, an obligation from the parent to the child that must me fulfilled because the female is viewed as a Par Gaheri, a person made for someone else’s house (53). In this custom, it is the responsibility of the groom's parents to make the initial move toward marriage: seeking eligible females and insuring their son is marketable. Once a female has been selected, the father of the male sends a letter to the perspective bride's father, through a Maulvi, a liaison between the families, asking the father if his daughter can marry his son. If the female's father accepts by letter, then a formal ceremony is held at the female’s house, where the father of the groom asks the girl's father can his daughter marry. A feast and perhaps the giving of gifts, depending on the region of the exchange, follow the "asking" ceremony. During the feast, the respective parents set a time to solemnize the marriage, "usually during the summer season (garmiyan) because it allows more time for people to attend" (98). The date of the actual marriage ceremony depends on the age of the individuals, which ranges from four years to eight years after the "asking" ceremony (97).
Most Muslim arranged marriages are solemnized four years after the "asking" ceremony. The ceremony itself consists of a sub ceremony: the male dera, where female members of the male's family wash and dress the male in traditional clothing, and the female dera, where the female is washed, given henna, and given ceremonial jewelry (98). The actual marriage ceremony (nikah) consists of both individuals being asked if they are in agreement for marriage. Once a yes is acknowledged, the Koran is read, and the father determines a dowry, with 40% being paid at the nikah and an agreement that the rest will be paid at a later date. The paying of a dowry is culturally optional, but legally unlawful. (See Dowry for more information) Once the dowry has been agreed on, a marriage contract is drawn up and the female goes to live with the husband's family.
If the daughter remains unmarried, she is considered a spinster, who brings shame upon her family, and she is considered a burden. A woman also suffers this fate if she is separated or single past 24 years old (Stein).
Hindu Arranged Marriages in India
Marriage is a sacramental union in the Hindu faith. "One is incomplete and considered unholy if they do not marry" (Parakasa 14). Because of these beliefs, many families begin marriage preparation well in advance, with the help of "kinsmen, friends, and 'go-betweens'" (14). Most females are married before puberty, with almost all girls being married before 16, while most boys are married before the age of 22 (Gupta 146). However, couples normally do not consummate the marriage until three years after the marriage ceremony (146). The legal age for marriages is 18 for females and 21 for males (Mc Donald). The male's family is responsible for seeking the female. "A majority of Hindu marriages take place outside of their home village" (146). The male's family is responsible for arranging the marriage. Like Muslim arranged marriages, the Hindu culture uses a matchmaker to help find possible matches. Once a match is found and arrangements met, the two families meet to discuss dowry, time, and location of the wedding, the birth stars of the boy and girl, and education (McDonald). During this time, the males of the family huddle in the center of the room, while the perspective couple sits at the periphery of the room and exchange glances. If the two families agree, they shake hands and set a date for the wedding (McDonald).
Most Hindu pre-wedding ceremonies take place on acuta, the most spiritual day for marriages. The ceremony often takes place early in the morning, with the male leading the female around a fire (punit) seven times. After the ceremony, the bride is taken back to her home until she is summoned to her husband's family house. Upon her arrival, her husband's mother is put in charge of her, where she is to learn the inner workings of the house. During this time she is not allowed to interact with the males of the house, because she is considered pure until the marriage is consummated. This period of marriage can range from three to six years (McDonald).
Indian Culture Marriage Biography
Arranged Marriages in India
Arranged marriages have been part of the Indian culture since the fourth century. Many consider the practice a central fabric of Indian society, reinforcing the social, economic, geographic, and the historic significance of India (Stein). Prakasa states that arranged marriages serve six functions in the Indian community: (1) helps maintain the social satisfaction system in the society; (2) gives parents control, over family members; (3) enhances the chances to preserve and continue the ancestral lineage; (4) provides an opportunity to strengthen the kinship group; (5) allows the consolidation and extension of family property; (6) enables the elders to preserve the principle of endogamy (Prakasa 17).
The practice of arranged marriages began as a way of uniting and maintaining upper caste families. Eventually, the system spread to the lower caste where it also was used for the same purpose. The specifics of arranged marriages vary; depending on if one is Hindu or Muslim. "Marriage is treated as an alliance between two families rather than a union between two individuals" (Prakasa 15). Ninety-five percent of all current Indian marriages are arranged, either through child marriages or family / friend arrangement. The Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929-1978 states that the legal age for marriage is 18 for females, and 21 for males, with most females being married by 24 and most males being married by their late twenties (McDonald). However, many children, age 15 and 16 are married within a cultural context, with these marriages being neither void or voidable under Hindu or Muslim religious law, as long as the marriage is not consummated until the legal age of 18 for females and 21 for males.
Muslim Arranged Marriages in India
In the Muslim faith, it is the responsibility of the parents to provide for the education and the marriage of their children. The parent's duties are not considered complete unless their daughter is happily married (Ahmad 53). Marriage is a Sunna, an obligation from the parent to the child that must me fulfilled because the female is viewed as a Par Gaheri, a person made for someone else’s house (53). In this custom, it is the responsibility of the groom's parents to make the initial move toward marriage: seeking eligible females and insuring their son is marketable. Once a female has been selected, the father of the male sends a letter to the perspective bride's father, through a Maulvi, a liaison between the families, asking the father if his daughter can marry his son. If the female's father accepts by letter, then a formal ceremony is held at the female’s house, where the father of the groom asks the girl's father can his daughter marry. A feast and perhaps the giving of gifts, depending on the region of the exchange, follow the "asking" ceremony. During the feast, the respective parents set a time to solemnize the marriage, "usually during the summer season (garmiyan) because it allows more time for people to attend" (98). The date of the actual marriage ceremony depends on the age of the individuals, which ranges from four years to eight years after the "asking" ceremony (97).
Most Muslim arranged marriages are solemnized four years after the "asking" ceremony. The ceremony itself consists of a sub ceremony: the male dera, where female members of the male's family wash and dress the male in traditional clothing, and the female dera, where the female is washed, given henna, and given ceremonial jewelry (98). The actual marriage ceremony (nikah) consists of both individuals being asked if they are in agreement for marriage. Once a yes is acknowledged, the Koran is read, and the father determines a dowry, with 40% being paid at the nikah and an agreement that the rest will be paid at a later date. The paying of a dowry is culturally optional, but legally unlawful. (See Dowry for more information) Once the dowry has been agreed on, a marriage contract is drawn up and the female goes to live with the husband's family.
If the daughter remains unmarried, she is considered a spinster, who brings shame upon her family, and she is considered a burden. A woman also suffers this fate if she is separated or single past 24 years old (Stein).
Hindu Arranged Marriages in India
Marriage is a sacramental union in the Hindu faith. "One is incomplete and considered unholy if they do not marry" (Parakasa 14). Because of these beliefs, many families begin marriage preparation well in advance, with the help of "kinsmen, friends, and 'go-betweens'" (14). Most females are married before puberty, with almost all girls being married before 16, while most boys are married before the age of 22 (Gupta 146). However, couples normally do not consummate the marriage until three years after the marriage ceremony (146). The legal age for marriages is 18 for females and 21 for males (Mc Donald). The male's family is responsible for seeking the female. "A majority of Hindu marriages take place outside of their home village" (146). The male's family is responsible for arranging the marriage. Like Muslim arranged marriages, the Hindu culture uses a matchmaker to help find possible matches. Once a match is found and arrangements met, the two families meet to discuss dowry, time, and location of the wedding, the birth stars of the boy and girl, and education (McDonald). During this time, the males of the family huddle in the center of the room, while the perspective couple sits at the periphery of the room and exchange glances. If the two families agree, they shake hands and set a date for the wedding (McDonald).
Most Hindu pre-wedding ceremonies take place on acuta, the most spiritual day for marriages. The ceremony often takes place early in the morning, with the male leading the female around a fire (punit) seven times. After the ceremony, the bride is taken back to her home until she is summoned to her husband's family house. Upon her arrival, her husband's mother is put in charge of her, where she is to learn the inner workings of the house. During this time she is not allowed to interact with the males of the house, because she is considered pure until the marriage is consummated. This period of marriage can range from three to six years (McDonald).
Indian Culture Marriage
Indian Culture Marriage
Indian Culture Marriage
Indian Culture Marriage
Indian Culture Marriage
Indian Culture Marriage
Indian Culture Marriage
Indian Culture Marriage
Indian Culture Marriage
Indian Culture Marriage
Indian Culture Marriage
Indian Culture Marriage
Indian Culture Marriage
