Marriage is probably the most important event in the social life of the people of this area. It lays the foundation for the formation of a new family. It is a religious and social contract not only between the would-be husband and wife but also between the two families or clans. The occasion is celebrated joyfully by all the relatives and friends of the two families participating in the marriage.

The arranged marriage system is common in the area. The parents select the bride for their son. The process starts when the parents send a woman to the family of the proposed bride to find out about her age, appearance, moral character, demeanour, and skills such as those of cooking, embroidery, etc. If the parents of both the boy and the girl are satisfied, the marriage is finalized. In certain cases, the parents of the bride demand a certain amount of money from the groom for giving their daughter’s hand. This money in the local language is called labb (bride’s price). The price is determined on the basis of the status of the wedding families in the society, and also on the qualities of the girl to be married. The price varies between Rs.50,000 and 500,000 and can be paid either in cash or kind.

Haq-mehr (certain amount of money which the husband must pay to his wife as religious obligation) is fixed before the ceremony of Nikah takes place. In some cases the husband pledges a part of his property as Haq-mehr which the wife can get only after the death of her husband. The bride’s parents present her with some dresses, furniture, and some other household articles. They also present a wedding dress to the bridegroom. The number and the quality of the items given to the bride by her parents as dowry depends upon their social and financial status.

In case of a widow marrying again, no dowry is presented by her parents, and the labb (price) is also generally half of that of the bride who is not a widow.

Another custom in practice among some tribes of the area is locally known as "adal-badal". According to this, the sister (or a near relative) of the groom is offered to any male member of the bride’s family.

Divorce is uncommon and undesirable. Divorced women have the same status as that of a widow and can remarry only in her own tribe. If she was divorced on account of misconduct, she would not be permitted by custom to remarry in most of the tribes. The woman has a right of divorce, to be arranged through her parents and the tribal chief in case the husband is impotent.

Women of this area have always been denied their basic human rights e.g., the right of selection of spouse, right to receive education, right to go out in search of a job, right of inheritance etc. Although inheritance among males is based upon the general principles of Shariah (Islamic jurisprudence), the same is not practised in case of women. However, divorced/widows are entitled to demand a share from their mother’s jewellery for their maintenance. Usually their inherited property is usurped by the male members of the family, and this practice is a socially acceptable phenomenon.

The position of a woman belonging to the lower class is degrading. She raises children, takes care of the household, then goes out to fetch water, looks after the flock and assists her husband in the fields. However, women of the upper class lead a relatively comfortable life because they have female servants to help them. Some enlightened families allow their women to receive education and do jobs.

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