Defying Conventional Marriage, This Rajasthan Tribe Embraces Live-In Relationships
The Garasia Tribe from Rajasthan has a unique and progressive cultural practice where live-in relationships are the norm and widely practised.
While live-in relationships and having children before marriage remain non-traditional in mainstream society, a unique cultural practice within a specific community in Rajasthan challenges these norms. This community, the Garasia Tribe, exhibits a progressive outlook, allowing women the freedom to choose partners during a fair. What sets them apart is that these choices aren’t necessarily for immediate marriage, but for live-in relationships—a tradition deeply rooted in their culture.
The Garasia Tribe’s practice of live-in relationships stands out as a testament to their unconventional customs. Women here exercise their right to select partners and cohabit without the immediate necessity of formal marriage. Many times, children are born from these relationships, and couples may decide to marry later if they choose to do so.
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The process begins with a two-day courtship fair, a common occurrence in several parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan. During this event, teenagers from the tribe meet and develop connections with their preferred partners. What sets this practice apart is that couples often elope and begin living together without the initial formality of marriage. It is reported that financial transactions between the man’s family and the girl’s family take place during this phase.
An intriguing facet of this community is that if couples decide not to marry and opt to part ways, women have the liberty to find new partners through another fair. However, before doing so, they are expected to compensate their former partners. In some cases, couples may even choose to continue living together without the institution of marriage. These cultural norms exemplify the community’s uniqueness and values, which contrast starkly with the traditional societal expectation of marriage preceding parenthood.
Despite the perception of the Garasia Tribe as a backward community, their customs paint a different picture. Reports indicate that their unconventional rituals and progressive outlook toward relationships have led to fewer instances of dowry-related deaths and rapes within their community.
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