Aata saata tradition back in vogue in rural Rajasthan

The age old tradition of ‘aata saata’ is now becoming a way of life in Rajasthan rural areas. Experts say it is a fallout of the low sex ratio of girls and the society wants to use a sure shot means to ensure an alliance. Aata saata is a system where a family that enters into an alliance of their daughter only when the other family pledges to give them a daughter to be married in their family. The age of the girls offered for matrimony does not matter.

Radha Sen’s elder son was married eight years ago and she has two granddaughters aged five and three. She has not been able to secure a match for her younger son because there is no girl in the entire clan who can be given in ‘exchange’. “I am now being told to pledge my little granddaughters. I cannot do that even if my son remains unmarried,” she said.

Similar is the case with Mahendra Singh who is unable to find a match for his brother who has crossed thirty five as they have no girl to give in aata saata. “One cannot take a risk with extended families. If they refuse to honour …read more