Marriage Sibi
The old customs and traditions with respect to marriage, bride price, inheritance right of women, and the general status of women still hold strong. In these respects, rural Sibi is still as it was centuries ago.
Urban influences have produced positive impacts in these respects on all major ethnic groups, Pathans, Balochis and Jamoots, but these are not very perceptible as these groups still maintain close rural connections. However, the new generation - those born after Independence in 1947 - looks down upon these customs, particularly the vulvar system.
The centuries old institution of vulvar is still in practice among the major ethnic groups of the district. It is, however, falling into disfavour among the younger generation, especially the educated ones. While the educated ones, whether poor or well off, oppose it on moral grounds, the poor uneducated oppose it mainly for financial reasons, as they cannot afford to pay the demanded vulvar.
Most of the reported rates of vulvar fall within the range of Rs. 50,000 - 150,000. The rate is determined by a number of factors. It is relatively low, when the marriage takes place within the clan or near relatives. The amount is higher if the two families are from different tribes. Among the other determinants are the girl's age, her beauty and her personal qualities.
The Baloch mostly use the vulvar money to supplement their own sources for the expenses of their daughter's marriage. The daughter is given clothes, household goods, ornaments, etc., which she brings to her husband's home.
It is, however, different with the Pathans. The vulvar money is mostly kept by the parents, and all marriage expenses are borne by the bridegroom. The bride takes with her only what she is given for her marriage, which usually is not much.
Generally speaking, parents arrange the marriages of their children. Only exceptionally, a man (mostly of advanced age or/and rich) chooses the girl he wants to marry himself. The marriage proposal is, in all cases, communicated by the parents. The boy and the girl are not to meet before marriage. While the consent of the boy may be ascertained, that of the girl is generally not. The boy's female family members are closely involved in the decision. The father has the final say in choice of the family his daughter will marry into, but as a rule, here too, the mother's views are taken into consideration.