| Marriage
The form of marriage prevalent and universally so in Goa state is monogamy,
a condition in which one man is married to one woman.
Among the Christian s,
if the proposal was found to the liking of the groom's elders, Soirik
Korunk (arrange of alliance) or rather entering the preliminary talks
concerning prospects of a marriage. If the girl finds acceptance in the
eyes of visitors, a sweet meat or some article of value like a wrist-watch
or dress piece or gold ornaments brought by the delegation, is gifted
to the bride-to be, signifying the acceptance of the proposal. For the
Christians, the church has prescribed a brief course or instruction to
be taken by the prospective groom and bride at the church or at the pastoral
institute Pius-x at old Goa.
Among the Sudras, there was the practice of the groom
to be, to take away the kerchief and soap kept for him, being a sign of
acceptance of the proposal. Later a ring was sent for the engagement.
Among the Hindus, according to the custom, marriage within
the same 'gotra'
are not permitted. If the 'gotra' happens to be the same for both
and it is still every one's wish that the concerned marriage should
take place, then the marriage ceremony is gone through by a special ritual
called Dattak Vidhan or adoption of the bride and her 'gotra' changed.
The engagement ceremony is called Mudi (literally the
ring), it is same for Hindus and Christians. The engagement ceremony among
the Muslims is called Mangani.
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