Adivasi Pre-Wedding Rituals

Adivasi marriage system is very different from a general Indian marriage. There are some practices like winning of the bride by capture, purchase, service to the parent, elopement- negotiation which fascinates people. They want to know more about this type of marriage. Payment in various forms is made for bride price. Adult marriage is the usual practice. A marriage means a lot to Adivasi. Marriage is seen as a roadmap of prosperity and start of new life. Marriages in Adivasi are pure and sacred. All the customs are followed.

They are few people who play a vital role in matrimony. Raibaar is the middleman who mediates in initiating talk about marriage proposal to either family. He is known by both the families.  Majhi  is the headman of village.

Sar Sagun: Talk initiated by Raibaar to both the families.

Raibaar visits both the families and talks to both the families. If the bride side show interest in the alliance then they would inform the Raibaar to initiate the talk with the boy's family.

Orah duar njel: Visiting of parents and relatives to each other’s home

Once both the families agree for the alliance, they visit each other. During the visit they would examine the condition of living, status and other things but also check how the family members are and presenting themselves in front of other family members. For a fair judgement they take the relatives along them. Once they return home they discuss their observation and decide whether to go on with the proposal or not.

Horah chinah: Final decisions and conveyed by Raibaar.

Both the families convey their final decision to Raibaar. If it is negative, the process will end. If the decision is positive the parents will convey their decision to Majhi. He is the headman of village. The to be bride and groom are presented new clothes. This process is called Horah chinah.

Taka chal: Express decision to Manjhi and arrangement of marriage.

Both the families convey their decision to Majhi. The majhi would give a green signal for the marriage preparations. Taka Chal is the custom included with the process.  In this process groom’s family has to hand over meagre money to bride’s family.

Newta: Invitation to relatives and final preparation of marriage

Family members will be busy inviting their relatives, friends, near and dear once. But first invitation is always to the Majhi.