Though pre-marital relationships among tribals are tolerated, and self-selection is permitted, all regular marriages are parent arranged. Even marriage by ‘capture’ is affected, in some tribes, at the instance or connivance of parents.
Irregular, marriages are effected through elopement, intrusion or forcible application of vermilion, all of which are eventually accepted by the parents and the families concerned, as signifying wedlock. In practice various other forms of mate selection are in existence.
(i) Selection by Purchase and Service:
Mate selection ‘by purchase’ is the most prevalent practice. In this, bride-price has to be paid to the girl’s parents. The amount of bride-price rates from a nominal price (as in case of Rengma Naga) to such a high price (as in case of Ho) that many young men and women have to remain unmarried.
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Some tribes (Gond) have found a way out of the high bride-price. The would be groom lives and works in his would-be father-in-law’s house as a suitor-servant for a number of years before he can ask for the girl’s hand in marriage. Another way of avoiding the payment of bride price is through an exchange of girls/ women among eligible families.
(ii) Youth Dormitories:
Tribes having youth dormitories provide a wide scope for the youth to choose their mates. Therefore marriage by mutual consent with parent’s approval has been the general practice. Where parents object, elopement is a solution. Eventually the parents welcome the couple’s return.
(iii) Selection by Capture:
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Mate selection ‘by capture’ has been a feature of Naga, Ho, Bhil and Gond tribes. Among Nagas, female infanticide was resorted to because of fear of raids for bride capturing. Among the Gond capture takes place often at the instance of parents of the bride and in the
Ho it is pre-arranged. Besides physical capture, there is also a ceremonial capture. Among central Indian tribes peaceful captures are effected on the occasion of certain inter-village festivals.
(iv) Selection by Trial:
Mate selection by trial also exists among some tribals. A young Bhil has to prove his prowess before he can claim the hand of any girl.
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Cases are reported among some tribals, where a girl desirous of marrying an unwilling mate thrusts herself on him, bears all humiliations and harsh treatment till the man yields. Such a marriage is termed as intrusion.
In addition to the above mentioned ways of mate selection, probationary marriages are also reported among the Kuki, who permit young man and young woman to live together at the girl’s home for some weeks, and then decide whether to get married or not. In case they decide to separate, the young man has to pay cash compensation to the girl’s parents.