The People

Customs of Lushai Society

Lushai Customs Regarding Marriage

Death of husband

When a woman's husband died she would perform a ceremony (thlaichhiah).

Remarriage

Mizo custom allowed widow's remarriage which was called hmeithai pasal nei.  A divorcee was free to  remarry. Different terms were used in this respect. A nuthlawi was a woman separated from her husband by any form of divorce. A lengleh was a woman who left her husband after spending only one night in his house.  A lusum was a widow. 

The marriage price of a woman who had already been married once, would  be reduced by a thai. If however, the woman was attractive or industrious she might get the full price. A widow with children was expected to consult her children if they were grown up, before she would remarry.  If they did not agree  she could not get married from their house but would have to get married from her own relation's house. The children of a widow who married again could go and live where they liked. They could continue to live with her or could go to live with their father's relation or to their pu, maternal grand father.

Adultery

Adultery, uire, was considered a great disgrace for women. In case of adultery by a woman while her husband was alive, all her price had to be refunded to the husband and he could keep her thuam or dowry and her other properties like clothes, beads, etc. In case of adultery within three months of her husbands death, while she was expected to leave a portion of her meal for the deceased husband, the matter was treated as if it was adultery during the husband's lifetime and she would also be turned out of  her husband's house. If she committed adultery after the three - month period, she could not claim payment of the outstanding price. Her children could turn her out of the house, but she could keep the thuam.  If the children allowed her to stay in the house, they had to pay up the balance of her price.  If a woman had no child, adultery after three months was not seriously viewed. If she did not perform thlahual, adultery would be viewed as if the husband was alive.

In an adultery case only the woman was punishable, not the man. He was not required to pay any compensation. If a woman was accused of adultery and was not found guilty by the chiefs, her husband would have to take her back at once or he would be considered to have divorced her mak.

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