Marriage in Anthropology – UPSC Notes for Anthropology Optional

Introduction

Marriage is a fundamental institution studied in the Anthropology Optional UPSC. It not only regulates human relationships but also reflects cultural, economic, and social dimensions of society. For aspirants preparing with Anthropology Notes for UPSC, understanding the various forms, functions, and rules of marriage is crucial for scoring well in Paper1 and Paper2.

At Vijetha IAS Academy, Delhi, our faculty explains marriage not just as a concept, but as a comparative study across cultures and communities. This approach helps in answer writing for UPSC Mains Anthropology Optional.

Definition of Marriage

Marriage is the union of a male and female through ceremonial practices, giving the male the status of husband and the female the status of wife, thereby legitimizing children and ensuring social continuity.

Types of Marriages in Anthropology

1. Monogamy

• Single union between one man and one woman.
   
• Universally practiced with variations:
   
  • Non-Serial Monogamy: No remarriage after death/divorce (e.g., Chenchus, Andamanese).
     
  • Serial Monogamy: Remarriage allowed after death/divorce (e.g., Indian society, Western societies).
     

Advantages: Stability, high parental care, equality.
Disadvantages: In some cases, may lead to adultery due to unmet sexual needs.

2. Polygamy

• A person having multiple partners at the same time.
   
• Polyandry – One woman with many husbands.
   
  • Fraternal Polyandry (brothers as husbands) – Todas, Ichasas.
     
  • Non-Fraternal Polyandry – Nairs of Kerala, Kotas of Tamil Nadu.
     
  • Familial Polyandry – Father and son sharing a wife (Lepchas of Tibet).
     
• Polygyny – One man with many wives.
   
  • Sororal (wives are sisters) – Holla, Medara.
     
  • Non-Sororal – Nagas, Santhals, Rajputs, Jats.
     
• Group Marriage (Polygynandry) – Collective union of men and women, as seen among Kaingang (Brazil).
   

3. Reasons for Marriage

• Balance or imbalance in sex ratio.
   
• Economic reasons (bride price, dowry, resources).
   
• Biological reasons (sterility, menopause, pregnancy).
   
• Social status & cultural practices.
   
• Wars, social justice, and lineage continuation.
   

4. Advantages & Disadvantages of Marriage Types

Functions of Marriage

Marriage serves as a social institution by fulfilling biological, economic, and cultural needs. It ensures:

• Legitimacy of children
   
• Socialization and education through family
   
• Transmission of values, customs, and traditions
   
• Division of labour within households
   

Rules and Regulations of Marriage

Proscriptive (Negative Rules)

• Incest Taboo: Prohibition of marriage within close kin (father-daughter, mother-son, siblings).
   
  • Explained by Westermark (childhood familiarity), Malinowski (family stability), Freud (Oedipus/Electra complex).
     

Prescriptive (Positive Rules)

1. Endogamy – Marriage within the group (caste, tribe, religion).
    
2. Exogamy – Marriage outside the group.
    
3. Preferential Marriages – Cross-cousin and parallel-cousin marriages.
    
4. Levirate & Sororate – Widow marriage practices to maintain property and lineage.
    
5. Uncle-Niece Marriages – Common in South India.
    

Marriage Payments in Anthropology

1. Bride Price (Bride Wealth) – Payment by groom’s family (Gonds, Todas, Nagas).
    
2. Dowry – Common in Indian subcontinent, though socially problematic.
    
3. Bride Service – Groom serves bride’s family (e.g., Gonds, Bushmen).
    
4. Exchange Marriage – Daughters exchanged between families.
    
5. Modern Marriages – Love marriages, right to choose partner, influenced by modernization.
    

Universality of Marriage

Examples of unique practices:

• Male-Male Marriage (Azade tribe, Africa)
   
• Female-Female Marriage (Nuer)
   
• Thali Kattu Kalyanam (Nairs of Kerala)
   
• Animal-Human & Plant-Human Marriages (tribal practices)
   

These variations show why a universal definition of marriage is difficult in Anthropology.

If you want more detail about this topic, then click on this PDF  [Download Marriage Notes PDF]

Conclusion

For UPSC aspirants, marriage is a core topic in Anthropology Optional Notes, covering theory, examples, and cross-cultural practices. A well-prepared answer citing tribal case studies (Todas, Gonds, Nagas, Nairs) can ensure high marks in the Mains.

At Vijetha IAS Academy, Delhi, our Anthropology Optional Coaching combines structured notes, case studies, and test series to help students master such topics.

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