A Hindu Marriage in Bengal

Abstract

Negotiations for marriages in a Bengali Hindu family start either directly or indirectly. In the former case a party of friends and relatives acting in behalf of a boy and one in behalf of a girl approach each other, usually through common friends and relatives; in the latter case, marriagebrokers or matchmakers-men and women -are engaged. The former are called ghataks and the latter ghatkis in Bengali. Both ghataks and ghatkis are usually illiterate and belong to the lower strata of society. There are, however, a few respectable and literate ghataks. These matchmakers supply information about a few boys to the guardian of a girl and about a few girls to the guardian of a boy; and, in most cases, they bring together both the parties. A few offices or organizations are also in existence for the negotiations of marriages; and, like the marriage-brokers, they put the guardians of the boys and girls in touch with each other. In all these cases, out-of-pocket expenses are to be paid; and, in the event of a successful negotiation, a certain fee or honorarium must also be paid. Matrimonial advertisements have been of late very much in vogue; and they are very interesting to read.