Discuss the different forms of preferential marriage with suitable examples from tribal societies in India.

What is Preferential Marriage?

Preferential marriage refers to the practice where individuals are encouraged or obligated to marry within a specific group or category defined by kinship, clan, or other social affiliations. It's a deviation from the general principle of exogamy (marrying outside the group) and aims to maintain group solidarity and resources.

Types of Preferential Marriage and Examples

1. Cognatic Preferential Marriage

Cognatic preferential marriage prioritizes marriage within the wider kinship group, typically the patrilineal clan or lineage. This is the most common form of preferential marriage across India. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining control over resources and perpetuating the lineage.

• Example: Gonds of Chhattisgarh & Madhya Pradesh: Gonds practice ‘Bara-Bari’ system, where marriage is ideally preferred within the same ‘Bara’ (ward) or lineage. This strengthens clan identity and prevents the alienation of ancestral lands. Historically, it was enforced through social sanctions.
• Example: Rabhas of Assam: Rabha society emphasizes marriage within the clan. This helps maintain the clan's economic and social standing.

2. Sororial Preferential Marriage (Sister’s Daughter Marriage)

Sororial preferential marriage mandates or strongly encourages marriage between a man and his sister’s daughter (fraternal polyandry). This practice is often linked to land inheritance and ensuring the continuity of the family's economic base. It's generally observed where land is a primary form of wealth and division is a concern.

• Example: Jaunsaris of Uttarakhand: Historically, the Jaunsaris practiced sororial polyandry. A brother-sister pair would share a husband, ensuring that land remained undivided and passed down through the female line. While less prevalent today, it reflects a past system of resource management.
• Example: Lepchas of Sikkim: The Lepchas traditionally practiced sororial polyandry, with a woman marrying two or more brothers. This system helped maintain land ownership and prevent fragmentation.

3. Cross-Cousin Marriage

Cross-cousin marriage involves marrying one’s cross-cousin, typically the child of one's uncle (mother’s brother or father’s brother). This form is more complex and varies significantly in its rules and implications across different tribal groups. It is often linked to lineage maintenance and social stratification.

• Example: Bharia of Madhya Pradesh: Bharia society emphasizes cross-cousin marriage, particularly the marriage of a man to his mother’s brother's daughter. This is seen as a way to maintain social order and strengthen kinship ties.
• Example: Chenchus of Andhra Pradesh: Chenchu society follows a system where marriage to the cross-cousin is preferred, often with specific rules about which cousin is acceptable (mother's brother's daughter or father's brother's daughter, depending on the lineage).

Factors Influencing Preferential Marriage

Several factors have historically shaped the prevalence and nature of preferential marriage in Indian tribal societies:

• Economic Considerations: Maintaining control over land and resources has often been a primary driver.
• Social Cohesion: Strengthening kinship ties and reinforcing group solidarity.
• Lineage Preservation: Ensuring the continuity of the family lineage and ancestral property.
• Social Control: Enforcing social norms and maintaining order within the community.

Changing Dynamics

The prevalence of preferential marriage is declining in many tribal communities due to:

• Increased Exposure to External Influences: Modern education, urbanization, and exposure to broader societal norms.
• Economic Diversification: Shifting from agriculture-based economies to more diverse livelihoods.
• Changing Social Values: Emphasis on individual choice and greater freedom in marriage decisions.
• Government Policies: While no specific scheme directly targets preferential marriage, broader initiatives promoting gender equality and individual rights indirectly influence these practices.

Type of Marriage	Description	Example Tribe(s)
Cognatic	Marriage within a wider kinship group (clan/lineage)	Gonds, Rabhas
Sororial	Marriage to a sister’s daughter (fraternal polyandry)	Jaunsaris, Lepchas
Cross-Cousin	Marriage to a cross-cousin (mother's or father's brother’s daughter)	Bharia, Chenchus