Note 35 — C

This custom of endogamy results in two exceptional usages—first, that marriage contracts are often made while one or even both the parties are still unborn; and, secondly, that little or no regard is paid to relative age; thus a Chaubê, if his friend has no available daughter to bestow upon him, will agree to wait for his first grand-daughter. They will not, if it can possibly be avoided, marry in their own gotra; but instances are said to occur in which this law of exogamy is not observed. According to Mr. Raikes35 they have four varieties of marriage, called in the jargon of the tribe—awwal byâh or “first class,” of which the total cost is Rs. 225; doum or “second class,” costing Rs. 175; tisra or “third class,” costing Rs. 75, and kora or “mean,” where only one rupee is paid by the bride’s folk; but no disgrace attaches to this cheap wedding.