One bride, two grooms: polyandric marriage shakes social networks in India

Sunita C and her two husbands, Kapil N and Padeep N alok Chaunan A bride sits between two men in a small Indian village in the Himalayan and the three smile at the camera. This is not a common wedding photo. She is sitting between the two grooms with whom she just got married. It is an unusual marriage in a country where polygamy and polyandria are illegal. Sunita C marriage images with brothers Kapil N and Padeep N, on July 12, were widely shared on social networks, which led certain users to criticize the family, posting insults in the online comments. The images aroused a national debate on the subject. The trio belongs to the Hatti community, a tribal group that lives mainly in some regions of the mountainous states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, in northern India, in the Giri rivers basin and tones. This community of about 300,000 inhabitants is spread over 400 villages in the region. Its name derives from the old tradition of marketing vegetables, other agricultural products and wool in local markets, known as Haats. The group prospered thanks to their farmers and artisans, who weaving wool shawls and producing silver jewelry for centuries. India officially recognizes more than 700 tribes, representing about 8.6% of the country’s population. In 2023, the Indian government granted Hattis the status of “registered tribe”, entitled to various welfare programs, as well as quotas in jobs and educational institutions. Generally identified as Hindus, the Hattis follow marriage rituals with significant differences in relation to traditional Hindu ceremonies. Locally known as Jodidara or Jajda, these weddings include the exchange of votes face to face between the bride and the groom, without the seven usual laps around sacred fire, as is practical in Hindu weddings. Another difference from the normal practice of Hinduism is that the bride is the one who leads the wedding procession to the groom’s house. The work commitments of the various family members often define marital relations in these unions. “In the old days, when one brother was out with the animals for months, the other was with the bride and they were shoups [para viver com ela] Upon returning, “the local journalist Sher Jung Chauhan of the Hatti community explains to BBC.” But in the modern context, these issues are resolved by collective understanding in the family. Decisions such as which child will bear the name of which father are still defined in the family by consensus. “Costume” created by the hostile environment ‘Hattis religious practices mix Hinduism and animistic rituals. Local shamanic deities play a central role in their customs and daily. Especially handcrafted wool, add vibration to their identity. They also claim that the joint family system encourages unity and resource sharing. Tribal communities, such as Hattis, preserve their customs unless they are specifically banned by the government. preserving limited land resources. “But today, these marriages are increasingly rare. Experts attribute the increase in literacy levels, economic development and the influence of modernization to the decline trend. Local resident Kapil Chauhan states that at least four to six families in each village still practice polyandria.” It is our identity and a matter of pride, “he said.” Accepting no one else should question. “The local social activist Ramesh Singta states that” most of these marriages now occurs in secrecy, without much skill. “Choice or exploitation? The news of marriage has generated a broader debate on social networks in India. Many consider that androgen marriage is a matter of consent and personal choice, but some argue that practice wounds women’s rights. Hatti to preserve the land and the family unity, emphasizing consent and cultural heritage. Critics already question their relevance in the modern era, their legality based on Indian laws and gender dynamics, considered to be exceeded. Of the state industries, Harshwardhan Chauhan, believes in the old tradition. “Keeping this practice alive, Pradeep and Kapil honored their cultural heritage,” he told the BBC. But many question if this custom brings some improvement for women in families. Democratic of Women of India, Mariam Dhawale. She told the BBC that having two husbands can also increase the pressures so that the woman has more children. But a local woman in a Jodidara marriage argues that tradition does not compromise the freedom of women. Forced to enter a jodidara – neither men nor women. “In this case, the bride and the bride and groom do not live a totally traditional life. Sunita is a technique formed in a industrial training institute. Pradeep is a state civil servant and Kapil works in the abroad sector. The bride told journalists who married her willingness.” The decision was mine, “she said.” They share the same feeling. “This relationship reflects our faith in tradition and the shared responsibility of caring for each other,” Pradeep told the Indian press. All three promised love and stability in their rare union. parts of the world. They include the “walking weddings” of the Chinese people Mosuo (where men visit women at night and return to their parents’ house) and the Fraternal Polyan of Tibet. Or were considered illegal. * With collaboration by Deepak Sharma.

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