Though   the   government  has kept the age limit of 21 and 18 respectively to marry.  Bhil people marry in their childhood itself. Boys marry at the age of 11 to 17 and girls at the age of 13 to 18.  In Gujarat, the grooms' family gives dowry/money to the bride’s parents to give their daughter in marriage. Even if the girl is elder to the boy it does not matter. Divorce and second marriage also does not matter. We would like to share their thoughts why the Bhils marry at the early stage.

  

Boys marry at the age of 11 to 17 and girls at the age of 13 to 18.  In Gujarat, the grooms' family gives dowry/money to the bride’s parents to give their daughter in marriage. Even if the girl is elder to the boy it does not matter. Divorce and second marriage also does not matter. We would like to share their thoughts why the Bhils marry at the early stage.   

 

Bridegroom:

 

Before moustache grows I should marry else the girl would say, he is an old man and will not marry me.  Moreover, if I do not get married now, I will be required to give Rs.2000/- more as dowry every year. This year if it is Rs.48000/-, next year it would be Rs.50000/-. My parents, brother or sister would not give the money (As they too would not be having money). I can get a loan with interest for marriage. If at the age of 11 yrs, it is for Rs.48000/- then at the age of 12 yrs, I will have to pay Rs.50000/-.  This way I should give Rs.60000/- at the age of 17.  So it would be better if I get married at the earliest.  After marriage, I will go out of station with my wife to work and give back the money with interest I borrowed for my marriage.

 

Bride:

 

Instead of giving education to me, my parents send me to work to earn money.  When a groom comes to marry me, my parents would take the money from the bridegroom and send me with him after our marriage.  It is good to marry at the earliest.  Otherwise, the groom will say I am an old woman if the age crosses 18 years. Till marriage, there is no need for me to cover my face with a veil.  After going to husband’s house, I have to cover my face with a veil before the elders of her in-laws. Along with my husband I have to go to out of station to work and to give back the money with interest, which he took for marriage.

 

Groom’s Parents:

 

Before daughter’s marriage we should get our son’s marriage.  Then only we will have a person to work at home. Hence, we will ask our 11 years old son, “Son! You have become 11 years old; there is a lot of work at home, get married quickly.  We need a person to work." So he has to accept.

 

Bride’s Parents: 

 

Giving education to the daughter is a waste of money.  If we send her to work we would get some income. When groom comes we can get the dowry and make her marry him. With the dowry, we should give some silver jewels, other household items and keep some money for the marriage expenses.  There is no loss in begetting a daughter instead only profit.

 

Marriage Broker:

 

I would get Rs. 2000/- from each side (bride and groom), if I could mediate between both sides for getting the marriage solemnized. It does not matter if the bride or groom is suitable. Even if the marriage breaks it does not matter. I need not return the money back.

 

This is the situation of the Bhils. Now after Christianity started growing slowly they are changing their life style. Please spend some time in prayer for the Bhil people, so that they also should be blessed and accept Christ as their personal Saviour.