This Rajasthani tribe rejects traditional marriage and embraces live-in relationships

While bearing children before marriage and living together remain unconventional in modern society, a distinctive cultural practice among a particular group in Rajasthan defies these standards. The Garasia Tribe, a member of this society, has a modern viewpoint and allows women to choose their spouses freely during fairs. These choices—which are firmly ingrained in their culture—are for live-in relationships rather than necessary for immediate marriage, which distinguishes them from other couples.

The Garasia Tribe’s live-in relationship practices stand out as an example of their unusual traditions. In this country, women may choose their partners and live together without having to be married right away. Children are often born from these partnerships, and if couples so want, they may subsequently elect to be married.

A two-day wooing fair, which is customary in various regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan, marks the start of the procedure. Teenagers from the tribe interact with and form relationships with their ideal mates on this occasion. Couples often elope and start living together before being married, which makes this practice unique. There are rumors that at this time, money is exchanged between the girl’s family and the man’s family.

If a couple decides not to be married and instead opts to end their relationship, ladies are free to meet other mates via another fair, which is a fascinating aspect of this culture. They are required to pay their former partners’ compensation first, however. Some couples may even decide to live together indefinitely without being married. These cultural standards represent the community’s distinctiveness and beliefs and stand in sharp contrast to the conventional social assumption that marriage should come before parenting.

Although the Garasia Tribe is thought regarded as a primitive society, their traditions show otherwise. According to reports, their unusual rituals and forward-thinking perspective on relationships have reduced the number of dowry-related murders and rapes that occur within their society.