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Bodo Marriage
The socially accepted form of a Bodo marriage is more or less the same
in all villages, though certain rites vary from clan to clan. On a auspicious
day elders go to see the girl and study her character. If she is liked,
they come back and leave a pair of silver bangles stuck in the ceiling
or a couple of wine bottles hanging by it.
If these are not returned within
the following week, consent of the girl's family is indicated. Before
the wedding takes place boy goes to the girl's house to see and know each
other. The girl gives him presents of handkerchiefs and napkins she herself
had woven and bow before him. If she does not do this, it is understood
that she does not like the boy. The Hinduised Bodos engage a priest
to perform the ceremony, while others follow their own elaborate tribal
customs. The Bodos do not like to marry into other communities. Sunday
is the best day for a wedding. They follow certain marriage customs that
seem to be peculiar to tribal society in Assam. These are paying
bride money, a son-in-law living with his father-in-law's family (ghar-jowain)
and taboo on marriage within the same clan.
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