Samipya 1992 Vol 09 Ank 01 02

Author(s): Pravinchandra C Parikh, Bhartiben Shelat
Publisher: Bholabhai Jeshingbhai Adhyayan Sanshodhan Vidyabhavan

Page 68

4.50 in cash placed in a dish to the groom's party and in that case the entire expéd diture is borne by the groom's party.
Dowry :
There is no dowry system prevailing in the entire community. On the contrary, groom's party has to pay money in cash to the bride's party before the marriage ceremoney takes place. This amount varies with sub-castes.
It is interesting to note that a quarrel is a customary feature of their marriage ceremony,. Before the commencement of the marriage ceremony, a quarrel is initiated by either party on some trifle issue.
They start shouting against each other. At the same time dancing, drinking and beating of the drums continue. Noisy atmosphere is found everywhere. At last after the settlement of dispute, the actual marriage ceremony starts. This quarrel is known as 'Godadi no Zaghado.' Thus the quarrel is also one of the source of entertainment. They rejoice it. There is a proverb in Gujarati in Than and Chotila area that there cannot be any marriage without quarrel amongst Vagharis.
Brahmins are not employed by the most of the Vaghari groups in conducting the marriage ceremony. This custom also varies from place to place. In some of the groups, this is being performed by maternal uncles of both the parties whereas in some of the groups brother-in-law and sister-in-law of respective groups perform the ceremony. Normally, they tie the ends of the clothes of brides with grooms and there by marriage ceremony is treated as completed. It is learnt that marriage garbas are mostly hired from the shops.
Local variation is observed in various customs and traditions. It varies from place to place and community to community and so there is no uniformity.
Divorce is frequent, normally three times divorces are common. This situation has adversely affected the children's future. Marriage with deceased husband's brother is allowed. Widow remarrige is common.
Death :
Both burial and cremating customs are observed. The burial grounds of these communities are known as 'Sonakhan' and "Rupakhan." In Ahmebad, their burial ground was acquired by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation for erecting the Sardar Patel Stadium. It was not opposed because they did not have any spokesman.
Burial system is prevalent among Gamiya or Madhiya Vagharis and Dataniya Vagharis of Ahmedabad city. Whereas, cremation is prevalent in Kanodia Vaghari and Vedu Vagharis of Ahmedabad, fulmali of Baroda, Chunara and Sathwara Vagharis.
Among the various groups of Vagharis, the Madakhu (eater of corpse) is the most backward. After the death of a person it is customary to eat the flesh of the deceased person by bearer of the bier, who remove the corpse to the cremation ground. It is further learnt that a goat is sacrificed near the dead body and its meat Vagharis of Gujarat.: An Ancient Tribe]
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