Comments | mcgillianaire: A Journey Thru My Rural Roots

mcgillianaire

A Journey Thru My Rural Roots

Apr 13, 2006 01:55

A couple nights ago, _untranslated_ asked me if marriages between first cousins was a common thing in India or atleast among Tamils. Here is my answer with a lot of additional details and pictures from rural India which you may not get to read about or see anywhere else. Enjoy!

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Comments 9

swimanubis April 13 2006, 06:15:52 UTC

fascinating post

savyasachi April 13 2006, 06:38:45 UTC

Err...as usual, I HAVE to dot the i's. Here's the thing - I know this used to, and still does happen in south India (cousins marrying each other), but in north India, it has always been a strict no-no. So much so that a book that described a relationship between two second cousins and it was BANNED! It has been that way for over 1000 years, that I can say with certainty.

mcgillianaire April 13 2006, 06:47:55 UTC

Heh, interesting. Which book is this?

Yeh, it still happens in the south. My aunt's (dad's elder sister) son married his first cousin on his dad's side. Not surprisingly, the mother went through a terrible ordeal when giving birth and there was concern she wouldn't make it and the baby would. Luckily, both survived and the baby looks to be doing pretty good so far. Inshaperumal.

brinker April 13 2006, 07:34:57 UTC

I just wanted to say thanks for the post. Very interesting.

daft April 13 2006, 12:10:44 UTC

I have a book that explains the genetic grouping concept pretty well ("Gopalpur: A South Indian Village" - written in the 50's I think, but contains a lot of still-pertinent info for the stupid Westerner trying to understand small-village Dravidian culture) but it's cool to have it explained by someone else.
And OMG I didn't realize you came from a weaving heritage. You do know I'm a huge textiles geek, right? If I were meeting that couple, I'd have a hard time restraining myself from drowning them in questions. I also have to admit that while I'm glad their kids are living "The Indian Dream", I have to wonder who is going to continue their craft when they're gone. :/

mcgillianaire April 13 2006, 16:34:57 UTC

Thank you SO SO much for mentioning the title of the book!! It appears as though McGill has quite a few copies and editions of this book. Also appears as though it was first published in 1962! After my exams I am SO going to borrow this book ( ... )

daft April 13 2006, 17:16:36 UTC

I'd love to hear your take on the book and get a more recent perspective of village life. It's an aspect of Indian life that doesn't get a lot published, and this book is one of the few I've found. And finding anything about Southern life/traditions vs. Northern is already close to impossible.

Video of these people practicing their craft would be awesome...and completely invaluable.

Ugh. I have questions for DAYS now, but I also have guests tonight and have to go to a Passover dinner and am still unpacking moving boxes. Argh!

busybodies April 13 2006, 13:41:44 UTC

Very interesting post, as always. Thanks! =)