SOCIETY

Eight-year-olds get 'married' in Orissa village

     Bhubaneshwar: Two eight- year- old girls tied the knot in a mock marriage here, to maintain a 25-year-old ritual, in the region. The mock wedding was held in Sampur village on the out skirts of the state capital Bhubaneswar. Part of the ancient custom of "Kumari Purnima", which literally means the Festival for Grooms, is held in the belief that it would speed up marriages of girls in the village. The rituals performed are similar to the ones arranged for the marriages of adults. "The girls who organise this ritual, feel that they will get married within a year, that's why these girls get together and organise this... all the rituals are the same as in an adult marriage." said Bichitra Kanungo, the organiser. Fireworks preceded the joyous marriage procession of eight-year- old "bride" Boby and another eight-year-old girl, Debasmita, who played the groom. "I am happy. They dressed me like a bride. Today I am getting married with my friend. I have worn a lot of ornaments," said Boby, the bride. The scourge of dowry and the belief that sons support in old age, fuel the preference for a male child and a consequent "hatred" for girls even today in rural areas manifesting itself in practices like female infanticide. Kumari Purnima is one of the most popular and important autumn festivals of Orissa. According to Hindu mythology, Kumar or Kartikeya, the son of the Hindu God of destruction, Shiva, was born on this day. He was very handsome. As young girls always wish for a handsome husband, they worship the Sun and Moon for a husband like Kumar on this day.
-Oct 6, 2006

Previous File