Traditional Indian Weddings – Old Dowry Systems

In contrast to the Chinese and Malay Traditional Weddings, in the olden days in India, the Bride’s family offer dowry to the Groom’s family instead.

Dowry or Dahei, is the payment by the Bride’s family to the Groom’s family along with the giving away of the Bride (Kanyadan – “Kanya” means daughter, “dana” means gift)

However, since 1961, there is a Dowry Prohibition Act in Indian civil law that prohibits the payment of drowry, because the old Indian dowry system places a great financial burden to the Bride’s family.

Social issues arises and it have also increased the male to female ratio in India because the families favours having a son, and thus giving rise to sex-selective abortion.

 

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