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 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 the promise, the bride will be taken away. There have been many such cases in my community,” he said.
According to activists, there are several reasons for this custom gaining prevalence. “Rural people prefer girls from their communities. As a last resort, they pay to get brides from Assam, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhatisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, which is human trafficking,” says Dr Virendra Vidrohi, a social activist from Alwar.
But concern for keeping property, especially farmlands, safe from outsiders has caused the increase in aata saata. There has been an increase in the child sex ratio after 2011. As per Rajasthan government records, the sex ratio that was 888 females per 1000 males in 2011 has increased to 925 per 1000 in 2015. “This is the major reason why there is growing insistence on promising even newborn girls in marriage under aata saata, said Vidrohi.
While some are succumbing to pressure; there is a glimmer of hope too that there are some will resist; “I plan to bring an orphan as wife for my son. I will put an application with the government homes for this,” said Radha Sen.
ONE OF THE CASES
- 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’.
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